Nine men against Brazil

Brazil came to the Sydney Olympics with a side that included Ronaldinho, Lúcio and Alex, coached by Vanderlei Luxemburgo. Their quarter-final opponents, in Brisbane on 23 September in front of 37,332 people, were Cameroon.

Cameroon led at half-time. Brazil drew level through Ronaldinho, and at 1–1 after 90 minutes the match went into extra time.

Golden goal

In 2000, extra time at the Olympics was played under the golden goal rule. The first team to score would win, and the match would end on the spot.

By then Cameroon were down to nine players. Two of them had been sent off. Against a Brazil side with that much attacking talent, the usual expectation would be that the extra men would tell.

It did not work out that way. Modeste M'bami, who had been 17 when the tournament began, scored the golden goal. Cameroon won 2–1 and were in the semi-finals. Brazil were out.

A team that would not lie down

The game became the defining moment of Cameroon's tournament. They beat Chile in the semi-final. In the final they fell two goals behind against Spain, came back to 2–2, and won the gold medal on penalties.

Carlos Kameni, the goalkeeper, played in all three knockout games. M'bami's goal against Brazil was the one that made the rest possible.

Why it lasts

What makes this result stand out is the numbers. Cameroon did not just hold on with nine men; they won. And they did it with a goal from a teenager, under a rule where the first goal ended the match.

A week later the same team were Olympic champions.