Top Latin America sports photos from 2016

Sporting events provided a wealth of images in Latin America and the Caribbean in 2016, with the world's top soccer stars battling on the pitch, the 2016 Summer Olympics being held in Rio de Janeiro along with the Paralympic Games, and the Dakar Rally roaring through Argentina.

Brazil's national team redeemed itself in the Olympics after its disappointing performance in the World Cup, beating powerhouse Germany on penalty kicks to win the gold medal. Superstar Neymar scored the decisive goal in the shootout in Maracana stadium to give Brazil the Olympic win.

Soccer fans across the region were also transfixed by qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup and the Copa Libertadores, South America's top club tournament.

Among the striking images were a fan who invaded the field to kneel in front of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi during a World Cup qualifying match in Mendoza, Argentina, and a photo of Neymar holding his bleeding face after a rough play during match against Bolivia in Natal, Brazil.

Outside soccer, Stephane Peterhansel won the Dakar Rally for the 12th time and an AP image captured Argentina's Kevin Benavidez racing during the eighth stage of the rally in Cafayate, Argentina.

Usain Bolt's victory in the Rio Olympics men's 100-meter final caused euphoria back home in Jamaica.

The 2016 Paralympic Games were also held in Brazil. In a striking Associated Press image, amputee Amy Purdy danced with a robot during the opening ceremony.

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In this Jan. 11, 2016 photo, Honda rider, Argentina's Kevin Benavidez races during the eighth stage of the 2016 Dakar Rally, in Cafayate, Argentina. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

In this July 21, 2016 photo, teens dive into the pool during a lesson at a private pool in the Port-au-Prince neighborhood Carrefour, Haiti. Swimming barely exists as a sport in Haiti, where there are few pools. Many Haitians, even some who fish for a living, never learn how to swim. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)

In this March 4, 2016 photo, a member of France's synchronized swimming team is thrown into the air during a training session of the Synchronized Swimming Olympic Games Qualification Tournament at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday. The tournament is also a test event for the Rio 2016 Olympics. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In this March 16, 2016 photo, a young fan of Brazil's Corinthians, dressed as the team's goalkeeper Cassio, cheers during a Copa Libertadores soccer match against Paraguay's Cerro Porteno in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

In this March 21, 2016 photo, Argentina's Lionel Messi kicks the ball during a training session in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentina will face Chile on a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Santiago, Chile on March 24. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

In this March 29, 2016 photo, Argentina's Lionel Messi, center, fights for the ball with Bolivia's Ronald Eguino, right, and Danny Bejarano during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Cordoba, Argentina. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

In this March 29, 2016 photo, Colombia's James Rodriguez reacts after missing a chance to score during the 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Ecuador, in Barranquilla, Colombia. Colombia won the match 3-1. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

In this May 4, 2016 photo, Coach Jose Cardozo of Mexico's Toluca complains to a linesman during a Copa Libertadores soccer game against Brazil's Sao Paulo in Toluca. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

In this May 5, 2016 photo, an Argentina's Rosario Central fan cheers his for team as he is seen through a team flag, during a Copa Libertadores soccer match against Brazil's Gremio in Rosario, Argentina.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

In this May 29, 2016 photo, Pachuca's coach Diego Alonso, right, celebrates after defeating of Monterrey and crowning themselves champions of the Mexican soccer league, in Monterrey. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

In this July 27, 2016 photo, Orlando Berrio of Colombia's Atletico Nacional reacts as referee Nestor Pitana of Argentina ends the Copa Libertadores final soccer match against Ecuador's Independiente del Valle in Medellin, Colombia. Atletico defeated Independiente and proclaimed themselves champions.(AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

In this Aug. 3, 2016 photo, South Africa's Mamello Makhabane grimaces in pain after being fouled during the opening match of the women's Olympic football tournament between Sweden and South Africa at the Rio Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, file)

In this Aug. 9, 2016 photo, a rower carries his boat prior to competition during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In this Aug. 14, 2016 photo, patrons watch Jamaica's Usain Bolt winning the Rio Olympics men's 100m final in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

In this Aug. 16, 2016 photo, Jordan Wilimovsky, of United States, competes in the men's marathon event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In this Aug. 16, 2016 photo, Brazil's Beatriz, left, and Sweden's Elin Rubensson go for a header during a semi-final match of the women's Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Sweden at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

In this Aug. 16, 2016 photo, Sweden's players celebrate after the penalty kicks during a semi-final match of the women's Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Sweden at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Sweden qualified for the final after beating Brazil on a penalty shoot-out. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

In this Aug. 20, 2016 photo, Brazil's Neymar weeps as he kneels down to celebrate after scoring the decisive penalty kick during the final match of the men's Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Germany at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazil won the gold medal on a penalty shootout. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

In this Aug. 25, 2016 photo, Andres D'Alessandro of Argentina's River Plate lifts the trophy after winning the Recopa Sudamericana final soccer match against Colombia's Independiente Santa Fe in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

In this Sept. 1, 2016 photo, a fan who invaded the pitch kneels in front of Argentina's Lionel Messi, center, as Uruguay's Gaston Silva looks on during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Mendoza, Argentina. Argentina won the match 1-0. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano)

In this Sept. 7, 2016 photo, amputee Amy Purdy dances with a robot during the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Mauro Pimentel)

In this Sept. 16, 2016 photo, Australia's Ahmed Kelly sits before putting on his prosthetic legs after competing in the Men's 50m Backstroke S4 at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

In this Sept. 16, 2016 photo, United States' Rebecca Murray falls during a women's gold medal wheelchair basketball game against Germany at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. United States won the gold. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)

In this Sept. 17, 2016 photo, Regas Woods, of the United States, competes in the men's long jump T42 final, during the Paralympic Games, at the Olympic Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Mauro Pimentel)

In this Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016 photo, Brazil's Neymar holds his bleeding face after a rough play during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in Natal, Brazil. Neymar sat on the bench the second half of the game. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

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