RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Portugal, the runners-up of the 2015 UEFA U-21 European Championship, defeated two Olympics titles owner Argentina here on Thursday.
The Portuguese new "golden generations" shone in the first round of Rio Olympics men's football event.
However, the host's radiance was covered up by the European power after a scoreless draw with South Africa in Brasilia.
Neymar da Silva Santos Junior almost broke the deadlock in the 28th and 40th minute, but all his powerful shots were denied by Bafana Bafana's goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
Gabriel Jesus who joined in the Premier League side Manchester City recently missed a chance in the 68th minute. South Africa, who had defeated Brazil 3-1 in Sydney 2000, kept their unbeaten record against Brazil in an Olympic tournament.
Portugal often has a star-studded squad in Olympics, Bruno Alves, Cristiano Ronaldo and Hugo Almeida had all got experiences in the competition. But this time, the squad has been the title favorite after it beating Argentina 2-0.
Paciencia's low left-footed shot found the net in the 66th minute, while Geronimo Rulli's Butterfingers made his team concede the second goal in the 83rd minute.
"It is really important as our generation is trying to be better. If we can win like the national team (did at the European championships) then the name of Portugal will be at a higher level," Paciencia said in the post-game media conference.
In the other games played on Thursday, Mexico held a 2-2 draw with Germany, South Korea smashed Fiji 8-0, Iraq earned a goalless tie with Denmark, Honduras beat Algeria 3-2, the London 2012 semifinalists Japan lost to Nigeria 5-4, and Sweden tied Colombia 2-2.
