On This Day: Nigeria Stunned Brazil to Reach Atlanta 1996 Olympic Final
Nigeria produced one of the greatest comebacks in football history on July 31, 1996, defeating Brazil 4-3 after extra time to reach the final of the Atlanta Olympic Games.
The Dream Team came from two goals down to beat a star-studded Brazilian side, with Nwankwo Kanu scoring a dramatic late equaliser before netting the golden goal winner.
Brazil made the perfect start when Flávio Conceição opened the scoring in the first minute. Nigeria responded in the 20th minute after Roberto Carlos turned the ball into his own net to make it 1-1.
Bebeto restored Brazil’s lead eight minutes later before Conceição grabbed his second goal in the 38th minute to give the South Americans a commanding 3-1 advantage at half-time.
Nigeria began their fightback in the 78th minute through Victor Ikpeba, who reduced the deficit to 3-2.
With seconds remaining in normal time, Kanu scored the equaliser to send the thrilling contest into extra time.
Just four minutes into the additional period, Kanu struck again with the golden goal to complete a famous 4-3 victory and send Nigeria into the Olympic final, where the Dream Team went on to win the country’s first-ever football gold medal.
Thirty years on, that unforgettable comeback remains one of the greatest moments in Nigerian football history.
