Carlos Dunga today pleaded for calm from the Brazilian public after his side failed in their bid for a first Olympic gold.

The five-time World Cup winners crashed out of the Beijing tournament last night when they were beaten 3-0 by arch-rivals Argentina in a bad-tempered semi-final.

It means the agonising wait for Olympic success - an obsession for many in the football-mad nation - continues for at least another four years.

Former Queens Park Rangers director Dunga said: "We came here for a medal but we must face the defeat peacefully and have a good attitude.

"Argentina continued with their tough style and played well."

Brazil ended the game with nine men after two red cards, including one for midfielder Lucas for a lunge on his Liverpool team-mate Javier Mascherano.

Lucas was followed off the Beijing Workers' Stadium pitch by Thiago Neves after another foul on Mascherano three minutes later.

Two second-half goals from Sergio Aguero and a penalty from Juan Roman Riquelme settled the all-South American clash. Argentina will now meet Nigeria, in a repeat of the 1996 final after the African side beat Belgium 4-1.