Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst celebrate their superb gold medal ©Getty Images

Germany silenced the home crowd and crushed the hopes of the host nation tonight on Copacabana as Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst won in straight sets over Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas de Freitas.

The German duo were under pressure from the outset in a raucous atmosphere in one of the most hotly anticipated events of the Games.

But, after weathering an early storm, they fought back to pull away late on and claim the first set, 21-18.

In the second they were imperious, as Walkenhorst dominated at the net and the Brazilian proved unable to regain any momentum.

The German duo eventually won, 21-14, in a match that started at 23.59 local time and stretched long into the early hours.

A raucous home crowd did not prove enough to prevent German success ©Getty Images
A raucous home crowd did not prove enough to prevent German success ©Getty Images

Walkenhorst finished the match with seven blocks, while no other competitor had more than one.

It marked further disappointment for the host nation after their indoor women's volleyball team suffered a shock quarter-final defeat

United States' Kerri Walsh-Jennings had earlier claimed a fourth Olympic medal after she and April Ross won the third place playoff.

They beat Brazil's other pair, Larissa Franca Maestrini and Talita Rocha, 17-21, 21-17, 15-9.