Brazil survive Egypt scare

Brazil striker Neymar (R) celebrates scoring the third goal against Egypt during their London Olympics men's football match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Thursday.Photo: AFP

Star-studded Brazil survived a second-half fightback by Egypt to win their men's Olympic football opener 3-2 in Cardiff on Thursday.
Goals from Manchester United's Rafael Da Silva, Leandro Damiao and sought-after Santos forward Neymar put Brazil 3-0 up and cruising at the break as an easy win beckoned.
But Egypt captain Mohamed Aboutrika and second-half substitute Mohamed Salah's strikes ensured a tense finish for the five-time world champions, who are seeking their first Olympic title.
The influential Neymar set up Brazil's opener on 16 minutes with a defence-splitting ball to Rafael, who squeezed his shot home from inside the box.
Damiao was on target on 26 minutes when Neymar, punishing defensive weakness on a long ball forwards, cut back for the Internacional forward to hammer his shot home from near the penalty spot.
And Neymar started and finished a move on the half-hour when he dribbled across the defence, picked out Hulk on the left and then powered a close-range header through the arms of Egypt 'keeper Ahmed Elshenawi.
A samba atmosphere in the Millennium Stadium faded when Aboutrika pulled one back from a goalmouth scramble, before Salah shot home with 14 minutes to go. But the Egyptians were unable to find the equaliser.
Meanwhile, Senegal spoiled Great Britain's long-awaited return to Olympic football snatching a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw in a bruising encounter at Old Trafford.
Moussa Konate's 82nd minute leveller prevented Britain from making a winning start to their first appearance in an Olympic football tournament for 52 years after Craig Bellamy had fired the hosts into the lead.
Britain almost grabbed a late winner when substitute Marvin Sordell struck the woodwork two minutes from time, but Senegal held on for a share of the points after a physical Group A tussle.
It was a frustrating outcome for the hosts, who should have been awarded a penalty in the 70th minute after goalscorer Bellamy was clattered in the area in an atrocious challenge by Senegal defender Saliou Ciss.
After a slow start, Britain had taken the lead midway through the first half with captain Ryan Giggs and Bellamy combining to score.
RESULTS
UAE 1 Uruguay 2
Great Britain 1 Senegal 1
Switzerland 1 Gabon 1
Belarus 1 New Zealand 0
Brazil 3 Egypt 2