Mano Menezes: Mexico were superior

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has expressed his disappointment after the Seleção’s 2-1 defeat to a superior Mexico side in the Olympic final.

The favourites went a goal down within 30 seconds to an Oribe Peralta goal and didn’t seem to recover. Peralta’s second sealed the win, despite a late surge from the Seleção - who claimed a consolation goal through Hulk in injury time.

Menezes told Globoesporte: "I am very sad. We had done an excellent job till we reached the final.

"We were confident in achieving gold, but we could not replicate our other performances. Despite creating good chances, we never scored the equalising goal.

"We can only recognise the superiority of our opponent and congratulate them for the prize we would have liked to see as ours."

The 50-year-old also stated that Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva is not to blame, despite his mistake which cost them the first goal.

"We have that national culture [of finding a scapegoat] when things don't go well and you are not going to change it overnight," Menezes added.

"Individual mistakes were made and the major one was made at 30 seconds today, but we had 89 minutes to turn it around and we didn't manage to, so we all lost, not just one player.

"On previous occasions we were able to deliver after going behind but this time it wasn't possible. Unfortunately we weren't able to react as we should have after our accident in the first minute. We didn't improvise or change our tactics.

"But our opponents were extremely well prepared. We acknowledge they were the better team and we congratulate them on their victory."

Brazil legend Romario has criticised Menezes following his side’s failure to claim gold, and believes today may have been his last game in charge of the national side.

The former Barcelona and Brazil striker said: "He is a coach who cannot pick the correct team and does not call-up the right players. Thankfully we are seeing today his last match [in charge] of the selection."

The Seleção's next game is an international friendly against Sweden on Wednesday.