Brazil 2-1 Spain
Brazil U23s are the Olympics 2020 football gold medallists after beating Spain in a pulsating clash which went to extra time before Malcom scored to send the Selecao into ecstacy.
The full Brazil side recently lost the Copa America to Argentina and this win meant a lot to the team and a nation which lives and breathes for the beautiful game. It looked like Brazil were in control of matters when Matheus Cunha gave them a first half lead, but Mikel Oyarzabal responded quickly for the Spaniards to set up a tense extra 30 minutes.
In the Bronze Medal game on Friday, Japan’s hopes of ending a 53 year medal drought in men’s football were dashed as Mexico outplayed them and ran out worthy winners with a 3-1 victory. Meanwhile, in the women’s game, Canada beat Sweden on penalties to win Gold.
Highlights of the game
Defending champions Brazil defended their Olympic crown in some style. The Samba Boys were inspired by Neymar back in 2016 but this time it was 38 year old Dani Alves who played every minute of the tournament and led the Brazil U23s to glory. They had much the better of the opening 45 minutes and should have been in front when they won a penalty. But in-form Everton striker Richarlison spurned the chance, blasting his spot-kick way over the bar. He’s scored five goals in the competition but Richarlison won’t want to see this piece of action in the Tokyo Olympics 2021 highlights!
His blushes were spared deep into first half stoppage time when Hertha Berlin striker Matheus Cunha put the Brazilians in front. It was Dani Alves the creator, sliding a pass into the path of Cunha and the 22 year old kept his cool to fire the ball home.
Spain had packed their team with La Liga stars; and one of the big names, Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal, levelled the scores just before the hour mark after a fine set up from Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler. The game went to extra time and Brazil brought on Zenit St-Petersburg striker Malcom and that turned out to be an inspired move when he latched on to a pass from Antony and lashed his shot into the corner. Spain keeper Unai Simon got his foot to the ball but he couldn’t keep it out and the Brazil players and bench went wild.
La Rojita wrecked Japan’s Gold Medal hopes in the semi-final and they battled to get back into the game and they had a passionate appeal for a penalty turned down, before young Barcelona star Pedri had a chance to level in the last minute, but his shot from an angle flew over.
When the whistle blew the Spain players dropped to their knees; meanwhile, former Blaugrana legend Alves, with all the energy of a 22 year old, started the celebrations.
Key statistics
The Tokyo Olympics 2021 betting odds suggested this would be a tight match and so it was; a really hard fought and close encounter in which La Rojita edged possession with 52 per cent of the ball, but Brazil were slightly more incisive.
The Selecao put more pressure on their opponent’s goal with seven corners to six, five shots off target to three and four shots on target to three and, in the end, their quality told in extra time.
What’s next?
This was clearly a game Brazil were desperate to win and in the end they thoroughly deserved the gold medal. It’s Brazil’s seventh gold medal of the games which takes them to 12th in the medals table while, with three gold medals, Spain are in 21st position. The Olympics conclude tomorrow with the flagship event, the Men’s Marathon and there’s more action in the pool with water polo, and in the cycling arena.
So what’s next then? Well, after a summer of international football the SBOTOP team is preparing to bring you all the news, previews, updates and match reports as the big domestic leagues get underway.
There will be wall to wall action in the Bundesliga where FC Bayern are aiming for a 10th successive title. In La Liga Barcelona prepare for life without Lionel Messi and, in Serie A, Juventus plots to win back the Scudetto from Inter Milan. But all eyes will be on the Premier League where the big match is the Saturday lunchtime fixture, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United plays against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United, who are aiming to improve on last season’s ninth placed finish.
It doesn’t get much better than that!
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