Neymar thwarted as 10-man South Africa holds Brazil

Head coach Rogerio Micale fielded captain Neymar, rising star Gabriel Barbosa and new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus in a fearsome three-pronged attack, but they were unable to find a breakthrough.

Neymar in action for Brazil against South Africa.

Brazil was held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by 10-man South Africa in its opening Olympic Games match in Brasilia on Thursday.

Head coach Rogerio Micale fielded captain Neymar, rising star Gabriel Barbosa and new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus in a fearsome three-pronged attack, but they were unable to find a breakthrough inside a packed Mane Garrincha Stadium.

Lebo Mothiba twice missed chances for South Africa in the first half before the host began to take control, with Neymar twice coming close from distance and Gabriel Jesus hitting the post with the goal gaping.

South Africa was dealt a blow when Mothobi Mvala picked up a second booking in quick succession, but despite its territorial dominance, Brazil could not muster the goal it needed to take control in Group A.

The result leaves Group A finely poised heading into Sunday's second round of matches, with Iraq and Denmark having played out a goalless draw earlier in Brasilia.

Denmark and Iraq set out to play open and attacking football at the near empty 72,000 capacity National stadium. Denmark hit the post after three minutes but Iraq had the best chances, with Ali Adnan forcing Danish keeper Jeppe Hojbjerg into three fine saves from free kicks.

The first goals in the competition came later on Thursday in Rio, where Honduras beat Algeria 3-2 in an enthralling match. Romell Quioto got the opener after 13 minutes and Marcelo Pereira added a second 20 minutes later. Sofiane Bendebka got one back for Algeria midway through the second half only for Antony Lozano to restore Honduras' two-goal advantage after 79 minutes. Baghdad Bounedjah got a second for the Africans with five minutes remaining and, although it pushed hard for an equaliser, Honduras took all three points.

Second-half goals from Portugal guided it to a 2-0 win over Argentina in its Olympic football tournament opener, while South Korea put in an impressive shift against a hapless Fiji. 

Portugal, spurred on by the senior national team's success at Euro 2016, found the net through Goncalo Paciencia and Pite - both assisted by Bruno Fernandes. South Korea was in dominant form against Fiji, scoring seven second-half goals in an 8-0 rout of Frank Farina's men. 

Meanwhile, Nigeria overcame difficult preparations for the tournament by holding on for a 5-4 win over Japan in a nine-goal thriller.