Spain's bid to add an Olympic gold to its world and European titles ended in failure on Sunday with a shock 1-0 loss to Honduras.

Jerry Bengtson's seventh-minute header at St. James' Park, the striker's third goal in two games, condemned Spain to an early exit following its opening defeat by Group D leaders Japan.

In a fractious match featuring 13 bookings, Spain's Iker Muniain hit the post and Rodrigo the bar, and a host of Spanish players converged on referee Juan Soto Arevalo after the Venezuelan denied them a late penalty.

Spain coach Luis Milla insisted his side had been unlucky.

"All that was lacking today was the goal. I don't want to say too much, but we feel there should have been a penalty," he said.

Bengtson scored when he rose high to power in Roger Espinoza's driven cross past Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

"We played so well to beat Spain," said Bengtson. "It's very nice that we heard the crowd supporting us and shouting 'Honduras, Honduras'."

Gold-medal favorite Brazil came from a goal behind to beat Belarus 3-1 with Neymar turning on the style at a packed Old Trafford on Sunday.

Belarus took a shock lead in front of a crowd of more than 66,000 at the home ground of English giant Manchester United, through Renan Bardini Bressan's eighth-minute header.

But from then on, Brazil, a five-time world champion still seeking its first Olympic gold, saw Neymar take charge.

He crossed for AC Milan star Pato to equalize, before he put Brazil in front with a brilliant 65th minute free-kick and then set up Oscar for the third goal.

Meanwhile, 10-man Senegal opened up Group A with a shock 2-0 win over Uruguay, teenager Moussa Konate scoring twice either side of Abdoulaye Ba's first-half dismissal for a foul on Luis Suarez.

Japan qualified for the quarterfinals with a 1-0 Group D win over Morocco secured by Kensuke Nagai's 84th minute goal.

Asian rival South Korea also enjoyed a 2-1 win over Switzerland to draw level with Group B leader Mexico, which beat Gabon 2-0 thanks to two goals from Tottenham's Giovani dos Santos.

Egypt's last-eight hopes suffered a setback when it was held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand.

(China Daily 07/31/2012 page11)