After Asensio eliminated Japan, Spain will play Brazil in the men’s Olympic football final.
M. Asensio Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
After a thrilling extra-time victory by Marco Asensio, Spain will play Brazil for the Olympic men’s football gold on Saturday.
A penalty was given to Spain after a scoreless first half in Saitama when Mikel Merino was brought down by Maya Yoshida. Even though VAR rightly reversed the call, the event spurred a lively second half.
Kosei Tani, the Japan goalkeeper, did a good job of coming out and making a quick save to deny Rafa Mir, while Unai Simón had to make a save on a shot from Takefusa Kubo that was heading towards the near post.
Until Asensio scored late in the second half of overtime, neither team could find the back of the net.
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After receiving a pass from Mikel Oyarzabal on the right, the Real Madrid attacker curled a shot past Tani and into the far corner. Spain held on to go closer to their first gold medal in the event since 1992 as Japan pressed forward in search of an equaliser.
Brazil advanced to the championship game Tuesday morning after beating Mexico 4-1 in a penalty shootout in Kashima. Both teams struggled to score throughout the entire match, with Richarlison of the defending champions hitting the post in the 82nd minute.
After Dani Alves of Brazil scored on the spot, the shootout was decided when goalkeeper Santos of Brazil saved Eduardo Aguirre’s attempt. Although Johan Vásquez of Mexico came close to scoring, Gabriel Martinelli of Brazil scored instead, and Bruno Guimares and Reinier sealed the deal.
On Friday in Saitama, Japan will play Mexico for the Bronze Medal.
The 2012 London Olympics gold medal won by the Mexican men’s football team is their sole Olympic medal of any kind, while the 1968 Mexico City bronze medal was the only one won by the Japanese.
Brazil confirms its final
Earlier in the shootout, Brazil’s goalie Santos stopped a penalty kick from Eduardo Aguirre, while Mexico’s Johan Vasquez hit the post on his effort.
With goals from Dani Alves, Gabriel Martinelli, Bruno Guimaraes, and Reinier, Brazil advanced to Saturday’s Olympic gold medal game in Yokohama.
To be able to compete in the Olympic Games and make it to the final is an incredible honour. At 38 years old, Alves is one of three players on Brazil’s roster who are considered “over-the-age.” “It’s a really great occasion for me,” he remarked.
We have been focused on winning gold from the beginning, and I believe we have earned our spot in the championship game.
After four games in this year’s tournament, Mexico had scored 14 goals, including six in their quarterfinal triumph against South Korea. They eventually went on to defeat Brazil in the finals, claiming gold for the former.
At the end of the first half, when they were at their best against a disciplined Brazil defence, Luis Romo forced a spectacular save from Santos and Uriel Antuna had a goal-bound shot blocked by Diego Carlos.
VAR reversed a penalty kick awarded to Brazil when it looked that Jose Esquivel had fouled Douglas Luiz within the penalty area.
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Richarlison of Everton, the tournament’s leading scorer with five goals, nearly won the game for Brazil with a looping header in the final minute of regulation, but the ball deflected off the post.
Brazil is seeking to join the ranks of Great Britain, Uruguay, Hungary, and Argentina by defending their Olympic title after winning the 2016 final against Germany in a penalty shootout. At their own 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain triumphed.
