Santos clinch Copa Libertadores crown

(CNN) - Brazilian side Santos clinched their first continental silverware since 1963, defeating Penarol 2-1 in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final.
After a scoreless first leg in Montevideo last week, goals from young Brazil striker Neymar and midfielder Danilo ensured the Sao Paolo outfit won South America's premier club competition for the first time since the legendary football icon Pele played for the team half a century ago.
A late own-goal from defender Durval offered Uruguayan side Penarol hope of snatching their sixth Libertadores title, but Santos prevailed at the Estadio Vila Belmiro.
Neymar -- who has been linked with a move to a host of European clubs including Real Madrid and Chelsea -- broke the deadlock with a well-struck shot early in the second half.
Danilo, a Brazil under-20 international, scored what proved to be the winning goal after 68 minutes with a driven shot beyond Penarol goalkeeper Sebastian Sosa.
Santos' post-match celebrations were soured by a mass brawl which broke out between both sets of players, immediately after referee Sergio Pezzotta had blown the full-time whistle.
Multiple kicks and punches where thrown amid chaotic scenes, with a small number of Santos fans running on to the pitch to celebrate with their team.

Police stepped in to separate the two squads, with players from both sides also attempting to make the peace. 

DEADLY GAMES (Olimpíadas no Rio)

Veja este do site da ESPN americano.. é triste e até ofensivo ver um americano falando tão duro sobre o Brasil. Espero que nem tudo seja verdade!

                                         Pedro Kirilos/LatinContent/Getty Images

                                

Aerial view of Rio's Maracana Stadium with the statue of Christ the Redeemer at the center - a day after the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2016 Summer Games to the city, on Oct. 3, 2009.

RIO DE JANEIRO — A white cross rising above the Macacos slum marks the spot where people are burned alive. A starving horse, his ribs poking out, is hitched close by with a thin rope. A nearby soccer field is dotted with pieces of melted rubber. No games are played here. The Amigos dos Amigos gang that runs this favela has a ritual: Members stack tires around their enemies, pour in gasoline and light the tires on fire. This is called microwaving. Black smoke rises into the air. At a school down the hill, near the famous soccer stadium where the 2016 Olympic opening ceremonies will be held, the students hear the screams and cover their ears.

This is Rio in real life.

Read more

Ronaldo retires, ending magnificent soccer career

By TALES AZZONI, Associated Press Tales Azzoni, Associated Press

SAO PAULO – Ronaldo retired from soccer Monday because his body can no longer meet the demands of the game, ending a magnificent career in which he won two World Cups with Brazil and thrived with some of Europe's top teams.

With tears on his cheeks, the 34-year-old striker announced his decision at a news conference. He played 18 years despite repeated knee trouble and leaves as a three-timer FIFA Player of the Year and the top goal scorer in World Cup history.

"It's very hard to leave something that made me so happy," said Ronaldo, with sons Alex and Ronald by his side. "Mentally, I wanted to continue, but I have to acknowledge that I lost (the fight) to my body."
Read more