Brazil one step from soccer gold after obliterating Honduras

Even if it didn't always go according to plan, Brazil is now one victory from capturing Olympic gold in men's soccer for the first time in their nation's history.

The Selecao, who came under intense scrutiny after starting Rio 2016 with goalless draws against South Africa and Iraq, advanced to the gold-medal match by virtue of a dominant 6-0 victory over Honduras on Wednesday.

And truthfully, the result felt as though it was solidified in the first 15 seconds.

That's how long it took Neymar, the team's under-fire captain, to open the scoring at Maracana, capitalizing on a brutal giveaway by Johnny Palacios before clattering into the onrushing goalkeeper and bumbling the ball over the line.

Read: Neymar scores fastest goal in Olympic soccer history

Blossoming superstar Gabriel Jesus, the 19-year-old attacker who is Manchester City-bound, added a brace in the opening half to secure the triumph, while Marquinhos and Luan found the net in the second half before Neymar slid home a penalty in the 90th minute to cap the rout.

The raucous crowd inside Maracana loved it, as did Brazil's most iconic star:

The victory, which also saw the Brazilians extend their tournament-long shutout streak, sets up a gold-medal showdown against either Germany or Nigeria.

All photos courtesy Action Images