XXV Olympic Football Tournament (Tokyo 2020)

Game Details

(From 26-07-2012 to 11-08-2012)

 

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 札幌ドーム <Sapporo Dōmu> / Sapporo Dome (Sapporo)

DATE: 22-07-2021 (16:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Adham Makhadmeh (JOR)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: El-Fotouh (7’), Taher (45+’), Hegazi (79’), Galal (89’)

EGY

مصر

Egypt - Spain

España

SPA

0-0 (0-0)

EGYPT

El-Shenawi

El-Eraki (Fouad 89’), M. Hamdi, Hegazi (c), Galal, El-Fotouh

Ashour (A. Hamdi 63’), Akram

Taher (Adel 63’), Rayyan (Mohsen 63’), R. Sobhi (Ramadan 90+’)

COACH: Shawqi Gharib

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Mingueza (Vallejo 23’), Eric García, Pau Torres, Miranda

Ceballos (c) (Moncayola 45+’), Merino (Soler 68’), Pedri

Asensio (Bryan 68’), Oyarzabal (Rafa Mir 69’), Dani Olmo

COACH: Luis de la Fuente

GAME SUMMARY

Spain was held to a frustrating goalless draw by Egypt in the opening match of the 2020 Olympic tournament, and in addition lost two players to injury, defender Óscar Mingueza (thigh) and playmaker Dani Ceballos (ankle). The Spaniards, the last European men’s team to claim gold in 1992, arrived in Japan with six players from the senior team who reached the Euro 2020 semifinals this month. But despite the wealth of options on the pitch, Luis de la Fuente’s side failed to take their opportunities in front of goal against a dogged Egyptian defense.

 

The match was marked by an excessive number of fouls and few dangerous plays for goalkeepers Unai Simón and Mohammed el-Shenawi. The Spaniards only fired five shots on goal, two more than the Egyptians. The only real danger came in minute 27, when Ceballos hit the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the area. Shortly after, the Real Madrid player joined full-back Mingueza on the sidelines after a horrific tackle from Egypt winger Taher Mohammed. The panorama changed little in the second half, and the game was very tight and calm for the goalkeepers. In the 78th minute, Spain was awarded a dangerous free-kick just outside the box when left-back Miranda was knocked down, but Rafa Mir sent his shot against the barrier. Twelve minutes later, another play involving these two players could have given all three points to Spain. The Betis defender sent a pinpoint cross to the Huesca attacker, but his close-range header lacked direction and was easily cushioned by El-Shenawi. Two more chances of Carlos Soler and Jesús Vallejo in stoppage time didn’t alter the 0-0 in an empty Sapporo Dome.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 味の素スタジアム <Ajinomoto Sutajiamu> / Ajinomoto Stadium (Chōfu, Tokyo)

DATE: 22-07-2021 (17:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Chris Beath (AUS)

GOALS: 1-0 (Vega 47’); 2-0 (Córdova 55’); 2-1 (Gignac [p.] 69’); 3-1 (Antuna 80’); 4-1 (Eduardo Aguirre 90+’)

BOOKED: Vega (20’) / Michelin (16’), Caci (75’)

MEX

México

Mexico - France

France

FRA

4-1 (0-0)

MEXICO

Ochoa (c)

Jorge Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Erick Aguirre

Charly Rodríguez, Romo, Córdova (Esquivel 72’)

Lainez (Antuna 72’), Henry Martín (Eduardo Aguirre 88’), Vega (Alvarado 83’)

COACH: Jimmy Lozano

FRANCE

Bernardoni

Caci (Bard 90’), Sagnan, Kalulu, Michelin

Nordin (Kolo Muani 60’), Tousart (Beka Beka 60’), Le Fée, Savanier, Thauvin (Mbuku 79’)

Gignac (c)

COACH: Sylvain Ripoll

GAME SUMMARY

Mexico underlined its status as a favorite for Olympic gold with a convincing (and surprisingly comfortable) 4-1 win over France. Alexis Vega opened the scoring in the 47th minute with a header, then Sebastián Córdova doubled the Mexican lead with a volley in the 55th. France striker André-Pierre Gignac, who plays in Mexico’s top division with Tigres, pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 69th, but Uriel Antuna and Eduardo Aguirre secured Mexico’s victory in the final ten minutes.

 

The game was among the most anticipated of the Tokyo Games. After a scoreless and relatively even first half, the 2012 Olympic champions pulled away with Vega getting on the end of a Diego Lainez cross in the 47th minute to put Mexico in front. Vega nearly doubled the lead two minutes later, but his left-footed shot from the heart of the area was saved by French keeper Paul Bernardoni. That was part of a flurry that saw Mexico put four tries on goal in the first ten minutes of the second half, the final coming in the 55th when Córdova, the leading scorer in the CONCACAF qualifiers, ran onto a through ball from Charly Rodríguez, then beat Bernardoni with a left-footed shot inside the left post. France halved the deficit in the 69th minute when Gignac converted from the penalty spot, but Antuna pulled that goal back in the 80th minute off an assist from Vega. Eduardo Aguirre closed out the scoring a minute into stoppage time.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: カシマサッカースタジアム <Kashima Sakkā Sutajiamu> / Kashima Soccer Stadium (Kashima)

DATE: 22-07-2021 (17:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 300

REFEREE: Víctor Gomes (SAF)

GOALS: 1-0 (Wood 70’)

BOOKED: Lewis (77’)

[Incidents: A few hundred students from a nearby public school were allowed to attend the match, as Kashima is not under the same state of emergency that affects Tokyo and can admit spectators on a limited basis, while events in the capital will be held without fans.]

NZL

Aotearoa

New Zealand - South Korea

한국

SKR

1-0 (0-0)

NEW ZEALAND

Woud

Ingham, Pijnaker, Reid (c), Cacace

Stensness, Bell, Just (Waine 71’), Lewis (Elliot 90+’)

McCowatt (Stamenic 83’), Wood

COACH: Danny Hay

SOUTH KOREA

Song B.K.

Lee S.M. (c), Kang Y.S. (Park J.S. 87’), Jung T.W., Lee Y.H.

Kwon C.H. (Song M.G. 59’), Kim D.H. (Jeong S.W. 78’), Lee K.I. (Lee D.J. 59’), Won D.J., Um W.S. (Lee D.G. 59’)

Hwang U.J.

COACH: Kim Hak-bum

GAME SUMMARY

New Zealand made an impressive start to their 2020 Olympic campaign after beating Group B favourites South Korea 1-0 with a 70th minute goal by Burnley striker Chris Wood. The OlyWhites captain Winston Reid was in top form in repelling the threat of South Korea, who dominated for long periods and had twelve shots on goal to New Zealand’s only two. The West Ham United center-back made a miraculous goal-line clearance moments before Wood’s winner, which saw the striker control a deflected shot and beat goalkeeper Song Bum-keun from close range. Despite late Korean pressure after emptying their bench, the Asian Tigers looked all out of ideas and New Zealand held on for a famous victory – their first in seven Olympic Football Tournament matches after they went winless at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

 

New Zealand made a cautious start, setting back in a low block to avoid giving the Koreans any space or time in the final third, and the OlyWhites barely saw the ball in the early stages, although goalkeeper Michael Woud was relatively untroubled in the first half, aside from a couple of tidy saves. South Korea dominated the run of play in the early stages and did everything but score. Kwon Chang-hoon, one of three overage players in the Asian team, missed out on a pair of open looks from point-blank range, with both opportunities set up by fullback Kang Yoon-sung. Danny Hay’s side gradually gained a foothold in the game, and by the half-hour mark the Koreans retreated into their own half, momentarily giving up their pressing and allowing New Zealand to get a hold on the ball with neat triangles between the midfield quartet. A block by Nando Pijnaker snuffed out a dangerous Korean chance just after halftime, before Wood just failed to connect with Joe Bell on a rare quick break. The OlyWhites began to find space on either flank – profiting from long diagonal balls – as the game begun to open up. A Callum McCowatt corner tested the South Korean keeper, who was forced to a reaction save from Cacace. New Zealand were growing in confidence and they were rewarded in minute 70, when Wood scored the winner with a clinical finish after a shot attempt went off a defender’s leg and landed on his feet. Although he was initially flagged offside, VAR review adjudged the goal legal. South Korea pushed hard for an equalizer in the final stages – and created a couple of decent chances – but New Zealand held strong to bank a famous win.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 横浜国際総合競技場 <Yokohama Kokusai Sōgō Kyōgi-jō> / Yokohama International Stadium (Yokohama)

DATE: 22-07-2021 (17:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Matt Conger (NZL)

GOALS: 1-0 (Al-Amri [o.g.] 39’); 1-1 (S. Al-Dosari 44’); 2-1 (Kessié 66’)

BOOKED: Kessié (70’), Gradel (86’), A. Doumbia (RC 90+’) / Al-Najei (80’), Al-Faraj (90+’)

[Incidents: Aboubacar Doumbia was sent off (min. 90+).]

CIV

Côte d’Ivoire

Ivory Coast - Saudi Arabia

العربية السعودية

KSA

2-1 (1-1)

IVORY COAST

Eliezer

Singo, Dabila, Bailly, I. Diallo

I. Doumbia (Dao 66’), Kessié, Kouassi

A. Diallo (Timité 90+’), Kouamé, Gradel (c) (A. Doumbia 90+’)

COACH: Soualiho Haïdara

SAUDI ARABIA

Al-Rubaie

Abdulhamid, Al-Amri (Al-Ghannam 76’), Hindi, Al-Shahrani

Yahya (Al-Khulaif 67’), Al-Faraj (c), Al-Najei, Al-Hassan (K. Al-Dosari 76’), S. Al-Dosari

Al-Hamdan (Gharib 63’)

COACH: Saad al-Shehri

GAME SUMMARY

Ivory Coast edged Saudi Arabia 2-1 to claim three valuable points and gain confidence ahead of its clash with Brazil and Germany. The Saudi Arabians were also hoping to make a good start, but they found themselves a goal down six minutes before the break when defender Abdulelah al-Amri scored an own goal to hand Ivory Coast a 1-0 lead. The Green Eagles, however, did not allow the own goal get their spirits down, and it didn’t take long for them to bounce back, as they levelled matters before the break with a goal from winger Salem al-Dosari in the 44th minute. The two countries went out into the second half looking for the winner, and it was AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessié who turned the hero for Ivory Coast. After receiving a ball from the right wing, the talented midfielder controlled it, made a turn and powered in a shot with his left foot to hand his country a valuable victory.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 札幌ドーム <Sapporo Dōmu> / Sapporo Dome (Sapporo)

DATE: 22-07-2021 (19:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Srđan Jovanović (SER)

GOALS: 0-1 (Wales 14’); 0-2 (Tilio 80’)

BOOKED: Ortega (45+’), Ortega (RC 45+’), Gaich (63’), Medina (67’), Ponce (85’) / Duke (32’), McGree (45+’), Atkinson (48’), Metcalfe (50’), Genreau (56’), Souttar (86’), Watts (90+’)

[Incidents: Ortega was sent off (min. 45+).]

ARG

Argentina

Argentina - Australia

Australia

AUS

0-2 (0-1)

ARGENTINA

Ledesma

De la Fuente (Herrera 62’), Nehuén (c), Medina, Ortega

Vera, Mac Allister (Payero 78’), Colombatto (Belmonte 78’)

Valenzuela (Ponce 46’), Gaich, Barco (De la Vega 82’)

COACH: Fernando Batista

AUSTRALIA

Glover

Atkinson, Souttar, Deng (c), King

McGree (D’Agostino 79’), Metcalfe, Genreau (Baccus 88’)

Wales (Watts 72’), Duke, Arzani (Tilio 79’)

COACH: Graham Arnold

GAME SUMMARY

In its first Olympic game since 2008, Australia stunned two-time champion Argentina 2-0, in what was also its first Olympic win since 2004. The Olyroos took the lead through Lachlan Wales’ tap-in the 14th minute at the Sapporo Dome. Argentina had Francisco Ortega sent off after being booked twice late in the first half. Marco Tilio then secured the Australian victory in the 80th, just a minute after coming off the bench.

 

Australia signalled their intent early on as Daniel Arzani looked lively down the left, carving out a few openings with his clever movements, while Nathaniel Atkinson was dangerous with his bombing attacking runs from right full-back stretching the Argentine defense. The Olyroos took a shock lead in the 14th minute when Harry Souttar played an inch-perfect free-kick from his own half to Joel King on the left flank. The Sydney FC defender managed to cross the ball first-time through the penalty area to Mitch Duke, who missed his shot, but Wales arrived at the back post to sweep the ball into the net. Argentina had an excellent chance to equalize shortly after as Carlos Valenzuela cut inside and saw his shot blocked by captain Thomas Deng. Later on, Fausto Vera tried one from long range that had Australian goalkeeper Tom Glover scrambling, but the shot drifted wide of the post. The Olyroos nearly doubled their advantage when Riley McGree executed a bicycle kick in the penalty area, but the ball landed in the arms of the Argentina keeper Jeremías Ledesma. The Albicelestes were nearly level as Ezequiel Barco saw his cross fly over Glover's head and bounce off the crossbar. The turning point of the match would soon follow, on the stroke of halftime, when Ortega was handed two yellow cards within 30 seconds after a scramble with McGree, while Australia was about to take a corner kick.

 

After the break, the Olyroos immediately tried to capitalize on their man advantage, with Duke clipping the crossbar with a delightful dink inside of 20 seconds and Arzani having a long-range shot parried away by Ledesma. McGree had a golden chance to kill off the game as he was put through on goal with Wales in support, but a poor pass meant he had to adjust before his shot forced the Argentine keeper into a wonderful point-blank save. But Australia did manage to wrap the game up with ten minutes to play, as substitute Tilio swept home a wonderful strike from outside the area with his second touch, after his first played the ball to Duke for the assist. There could have even been a third for the green and gold in stoppage time, but Duke poked a shot just wide of the post.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 味の素スタジアム <Ajinomoto Sutajiamu> / Ajinomoto Stadium (Chōfu, Tokyo)

DATE: 22-07-2021 (20:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)

GOALS: 1-0 (Kubo 71’)

BOOKED: Endo (38’), Dōan (58’)

[Incidents: The game was in jeopardy when a total of 18 South African players were identified as close contacts after two of their teammates and a video analyst tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, the first confirmed cases among Olympic teams at the athletes' village. After enough South African players cleared COVID-19 protocols before the game (a minimum of 13 players were required for registration), the match finally started.]

JAP

日本

Japan - South Africa

Suid-Afrika

SAF

1-0 (0-0)

JAPAN

Tani

Sakai, Yoshida (c), Itakura, Nakayama (Hatate 72’)

Dōan (Machida 85’), Endo, Kubo, Tanaka, Miyoshi (Soma 60’)

Hayashi (Ueda 72’)

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

SOUTH AFRICA

Williams

Frosler (Kodisang 79’), Fleurs, Malepe (c), Mabiliso

Mukumela, Mosele (Ngcobo 90+’), Cele, Mokoena, Singh

Makgopa

COACH: David Notoane

GAME SUMMARY

Japan clinched a 1-0 victory over South Africa in an empty Tokyo Stadium. The Blue Samurais struggled to find the final touch during the game, but the 20-year-old Real Madrid playmaker broke the deadlock when his powerful effort from inside the box found the net in the 71st minute. Kubo had a penalty claim turned down after 20 minutes when he was seemingly tripped inside the box. Then, a misplaced pass from the South African backline had Koji Miyoshi through on goal down the left, but his shot was deflected by keeper Ronwen Williams in the 32nd minute. With halftime approaching, lone Japan striker Daichi Hayashi tapped home a low cross from Ritsu Dōan, but his effort was ruled offside. A moment later, Kubo sent a free-kick inches wide as a frustrating half came to an end. Hajime Moriyasu's men shifted gears after the break but failed to take their chances before Kubo stepped up, controlling a cross-field ball down the right and cutting inside to unleash a low drive that found the net off the left upright, despite Williams getting a slight touch. South Africa had its first real look at goal in the 77th minute, but Luther Singh's low effort from inside the box went straight at keeper Kosei Tani.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: カシマサッカースタジアム <Kashima Sakkā Sutajiamu> / Kashima Soccer Stadium (Kashima)

DATE: 22-07-2021 (20:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Leodán González (URU)

GOALS: 0-1 (Oliva [o.g.] 45+’)

BOOKED: Oliva (26’), Álvarez (48’) / Dobre (44’), Dulca (71’), Sîntean (83’)

HON

Honduras

Honduras - Romania

România

ROM

0-1 (0-1)

HONDURAS

Güity (Perelló 46’)

Oliva (Cris. M. 88’), Maldonado (c) (Car. M. 88’), J. García, Decas

Martínez, Álvarez, Pineda, Rodríguez (Reyes 57’)

Benguché, Rivas (Palma 57’)

COACH: Miguel Falero

ROMANIA

Aioani

Rațiu (Grigore 75’), Ghiță, Marin (c), Pașcanu, Ștefan (Boboc 46’)

Dobre, Dulca, Ciobanu (Băluță 69’), V. Gheorghe (Sefer 55’)

Ganea (Sîntean 68’)

COACH: Mirel Rădoi

GAME SUMMARY

Lack of aim of its forwards and the misfortune of an own goal condemned Honduras to a defeat in its opening game at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games against Romania, who knew how to manage its unexpected advantage with a cool head. Honduras, more dynamic and daring in the attack from the onset, created the first danger with a shot from Carlos Pineda that Romanian keeper Mihai Aioani deflected with his feet. The Romanian reaction was instantaneous and forward George Ganea found himself in space in front of the Honduran goalkeeper Alex Güity, but his shot went wide. The Catrachos tested Aioani on three other occasions in the first half, but all three of them were tame attempts. Honduras should have opened the scoring in minute 39 when a good deep ball allowed Jorge Benguché to dribble past Aioani and shoot into an empty goal, but a providential Virgil Ghiță came to the rescue and saved his team. Romania warned of its danger up front with a slalom from the right by Andrei Rațiu, whose strong and low kick went off narrowly. Just before the break, an Olympic corner kick by Andrei Ciobanu was headed into his own goal by Honduran defender Elvin Oliva. Honduras threw itself to an open attack in the second half, but without having clear ideas or generating significant danger in the Romanian area. The Uruguayan coach Miguel Falero looked for solutions on the bench and threw in Alejandro Reyes, who began to unsettle the Romanian backline with long shots. Romania sat back in defense and waited for a break to double its lead, and it almost happened in minute 67 when Ganea’s shot was saved by Perelló with his left foot. The game died away in the closing stages, as Honduras was unable to find its way to goal.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 横浜国際総合競技場 <Yokohama Kokusai Sōgō Kyōgi-jō> / Yokohama International Stadium (Yokohama)

DATE: 22-07-2021 (20:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Iván Barton (SLV)

GOALS: 1-0 (Richarlison 7’); 2-0 (Richarlison 22’); 3-0 (Richarlison 30’); 3-1 (Amiri 56’); 3-2 (Ache 84’); 4-2 (Paulinho 90+’)

BOOKED: Douglas Luiz (83’) / Pieper (26’), Arnold (35’), Stach (59’), Arnold (63’ > RC), Henrichs (86’), Torunarigha (87’)

[Incidents: Matheus Cunha missed a penalty shot (min. 45+), saved by Müller. Arnold was sent off (min. 63).]

BRA

Brasil

Brazil - Germany

Deutschland

GER

4-2 (3-0)

BRAZIL

Santos

Dani Alves (c), Nino, Diego Carlos, Arana

Antony (Paulinho 74’), Bruno G., Douglas L., Claudinho (Malcom 64’)

Matheus Cunha, Richarlison (Reinier 74’)

COACH: André Jardine

GERMANY

Müller

Henrichs, Pieper (Torunarigha 46’), Uduokhai, Raum

Maier, Stach (Schlotterbeck 80’), Arnold (c)

Richter (Ache 68’), Kruse (Löwen 68’), Amiri (Teuchert 74’)

COACH: Stefan Kuntz

GAME SUMMARY

Richarlison de Andrade struck a stunning hat-trick inside 30 minutes as defending Olympic champions Brazil beat Germany 4-2 in their opening Group D game in the men’s Olympic tournament at Yokohama International Stadium. The jig of joy seven minutes into his Olympic debut, netting the rebound after his initial shot was blocked by Germany goalkeeper Florian Müller, showed just why Richarlison was so determined to be allowed by Everton to come to Japan. Richarlison again headed Brazil into a 2-0 lead in minute 22, and by the half-hour mark he completed his hat-trick with a fine curling strike with the German defense in chaos. Brazil should have had the outcome decided by the interval given the amount of chances they created (including a late penalty shot missed by Matheus Cunha), but Germany survived the onslaught and struck twice in the second half through Nadiem Amiri and Ragnar Ache to give Brazil an unexpectedly nervous closing stage, despite going down to ten men in the 63rd minute for a second yellow card shown to captain Maximilian Arnold. Only deep inside stoppage time could Paulinho secure victory for the Canarinha.

 

In a rematch of the 2016 Rio Olympics final that Brazil won on penalties, and at the same Yokohama International Stadium where Ronaldo scored a brace to defeat Germany in the 2002 World Cup final, reigning champions Brazil outclassed their European rivals. The South Americans were the dominant side from the onset, so it came as no surprise when Richarlison made a seventh-minute breakthrough. Germany defender Amos Pieper slipped to allow the Everton striker a clear run on goal. Although his first shot was pushed out by Müller, Richarlison lashed in the rebound on the half-volley. The German defense’s lack of ability to contain Brazil’s attacking play resulted in the Everton attacker’s second goal in minute 22, when a deep pass to Guilherme Arana split the German backline and the Atletico Mineiro left-back sent a beautiful cross to Richarlison, alone in the area, who had no difficulty heading the ball home from close-range. In minute 30, Richarlison sealed his treble with a shot into the right corner that took a slight deflection off Pieper. Matheus Cunha missed a penalty for Brazil in first-half stoppage time, brilliantly saved by Müller.

 

Despite their win being all but secure, Brazil’s players kept on posing challenges to Germany’s defense after the interval and were close to scoring more goals, playing beautiful attacking football in the process. In minute 56, clumsy goalkeeping by Aderbar Santos allowed Germany to get on the scoresheet when Amiri's tame volley crept in after bouncing in front of the Brazilian keeper. The goal only managed to give Germany a sense of hope for seven minutes, as captain Arnold was dismissed after a second booking for a soft clash with Dani Alves. However, another German goal arrived when Ache headed home in the 84th minute, allowing Stefan Kuntz’s side to siege the Brazilian goal in the closing stages, in a desperate bid to score the equalizer despite being a man down. It was nevertheless too little too late for Germany, and deep into injury time Paulinho Sampaio's clinical breakaway finish, high into the top right corner, secured all three points por Brazil.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 札幌ドーム <Sapporo Dōmu> / Sapporo Dome (Sapporo)

DATE: 25-07-2021 (16:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Georgi Kabakov (BUL)

GOALS: 0-1 (Medina 52’)

BOOKED: Ponce (72’), De la Vega (84’), Belmonte (84’), Nehuén (86’)

[Incidents: In order to reduce the extreme weather conditions in Sapporo (with a temperature of 32 °C and a humidity of 79%), the game was played under the roof of Sapporo Dome, which provided a constant temperature of 22 °C during the game.]

EGY

مصر

Egypt - Argentina

Argentina

ARG

0-1 (0-0)

EGYPT

El-Shenawi

El-Eraki (Fouad 46’), Galal (Maher 79’), Hegazi (c), M. Hamdi, El-Fotouh

Akram, A. Hamdi (Adel 60’)

Mohsen (Taher 60’), Rayyan, R. Sobhi

COACH: Shawqi Gharib

ARGENTINA

Ledesma

De la Fuente, Nehuén (c), Medina, Bravo

De la Vega, Payero (Belmonte 79’), Mac Allister (Almada 89’), Vera, Barco (Urzi 62’)

Gaich (Ponce 62’)

COACH: Fernando Batista

GAME SUMMARY

Argentina kept its qualification hopes alive with a minimum victory against a dogged Egyptian team. The Albiceleste, defeated on the first day by Australia, offered another poor image despite winning, conceding several occasions of extreme danger in the first half. The Egyptians were strong an exciting, end-to-end of the first 45 minutes, but were unable to find the opening to break the Argentinians down before the interval.

 

The promising start of Fernando Batista’s side was a mirage. In minute 4, Adolfo Gaich crashed the ball into the left upright with a good shot, but that was all the danger created by Argentina in a first half in which Egypt provided the danger but showed lack of quality in the final touch. First Ramadan Sobhi missed a one-on-one with Ledesma (min. 13), then Ahmed Rayyan was denied again by the Argentinian goalkeeper (min. 17). The distance between lines in the South American team was enormous, and only Alexis Mac Allister tried to provide a link between defense and attack. Argentina tightened things up after the interval and its goal came from the first proper chance of the half. Seven minutes into the second period, a corner kick was headed by Medina against the far post and the RC Lens defender reacted quickest to send home the deflected ball. That was all that the South Americans needed, and for the rest of the game they sat comfortably back in defense to preserve their booty.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 埼玉スタジアム2002 <Saitama Sutajiamu 2002> / Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama)

DATE: 25-07-2021 (17:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Kevin Ortega (PER)

GOALS: 0-1 (Kodisang 53’); 1-1 (Gignac 57’); 1-2 (Makgopa 73’); 2-2 (Gignac 78’); 2-3 (Mokoena 81’); 3-3 (Gignac [p.] 86’); 4-3 (Savanier 90+’)

BOOKED: Nkounkou (20’), Savanier (68’) / Mokoena (16’), Williams (84’)

[Incidents: Singh missed a penalty shot (min. 41).]

FRA

France

France - South Africa

Suid-Afrika

SAF

4-3 (0-0)

FRANCE

Bernardoni

Michelin, Kalulu, Caci, Savanier

Kolo Muani, Tousart (Nordin 68’), Mbuku (Le Fée 61’), Thauvin (Beka Beka 68’), Nkounkou

Gignac (c)

COACH: Sylvain Ripoll

SOUTH AFRICA

Williams

Frosler (Mukumela 83’), Mohamme, Fleurs, Malepe (c), Kodisang (Mosele 77’)

Cele, Ngcobo (Mahlatsi 65’), Mokoena (Monyane 83’), Singh

Makgopa

COACH: David Notoane

GAME SUMMARY

André-Pierre Gignac struck a second-half hat-trick as France came from behind three times to defeat South Africa 4-3 in Saitama, with five goals coming during a frantic final 20 minutes, including Téji Savanier’s game-winning goal in stoppage time. After a scoreless first half—in which Luther Singh sent a penalty kick against the crossbar—Kobamelo Kodisang’s goal put South Africa in front in the 53rd minute, but Gignac tied the score four minutes later. Evidence Makgopa put the Amaglug-glug back in front, but Gignac again equalized in the 78th minute. Teboho Mokoena made it 3-2 for South Africa with just nine minutes to go, but the French overturned the tables in the closing stages and snatched a much needed victory with late goals from Gignac and Savanier.

 

After a rather uneventful first half, in which Gignac had a goal ruled out for offside and Singh rattled the crossbar from the penalty spot after Lucas Tousart had fouled Kodisang in the box, the second half offered a flurry of goals during an increasingly open encounter. South Africa exploited France's feeble defending repeatedly, and just eight minutes after the break the lively Kodisang made no mistake when he capitalized on Les Bleus’ inability to deal with a long ball forward to open the scoring. Gignac, a 2018 World Cup winner, netted his first goal of the encounter when he met Randal Kolo Muani's cross to beat Ronwen Williams four minutes later, only for South Africa to take the lead again in the 73rd minute when Makgopa volleyed home emphatically following fine work by Kodisang. France's uncertainty at the back—despite a plethora of players representing clubs in Europe's major leagues—was matched by a genuine cutting edge up front, and Gignac once more equalized five minutes later when he was picked out by Clément Michelin. Mokoena thought he’d won the day for South Africa with a thumping effort in the 81st-minute, only for Gignac to level from the spot after Williams had brought down substitute Arnaud Nordin. A point apiece looked fair following a breathless encounter, but Savanier had other ideas when, with David Notoane’s troops flagging, he was picked out by the outstanding Gignac and dispatched a thunderous effort beyond Williams in the third minute of stoppage time.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: カシマサッカースタジアム <Kashima Sakkā Sutajiamu> / Kashima Soccer Stadium (Kashima)

DATE: 25-07-2021 (17:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Orel Grinfeld (ISR)

GOALS: 1-0 (Cacace 10’); 1-1 (Palma 45+’); 2-1 (Wood 49’); 2-2 (Obregón 78’); 2-3 (Rivas 87’)

BOOKED: Waine (75’), Stamenic (85’) / Decas (36’)

NZL

Aotearoa

New Zealand - Honduras

Honduras

HON

2-3 (1-1)

NEW ZEALAND

Woud

Ingham, Pijnaker, Reid (c) (Stanger 6’), Cacace

Stensness, Bell, Just (Champness 86’), Lewis (Stamenic 65’)

McCowatt (Waine 64’), Wood

COACH: Danny Hay

HONDURAS

Güity

Cristopher Meléndez (Oliva 62’), Maldonado (c) (Carlos Meléndez 62’), José García, Decas

Rodríguez, Álvarez (Rivas 63’), Reyes, Palma

Martínez (Obregón 71’), Benguché (Pineda 46’)

COACH: Miguel Falero

GAME SUMMARY

Rigoberto Rivas scored late to help Honduras rally to beat New Zealand 3-2 in Kashima. New Zealand twice led with goals from Liberato Cacace and Chris Wood. Luis Palma leveled first in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Juan Carlos Obregón then scored another in the 78th minute before Rivas got the winner with a deflected shot in the 87th.

 

The OlyWhites were in control of the game for the most part, albeit with a few nervous moments in defense, as they sought their second win of the tournament—and in their Olympic history—after their opening match victory over South Korea. While New Zealand looked the better side, a wonder strike from Cacace in the 10th minute came out of nowhere. A poor corner towards the near post was cleared easily, bouncing out of the box as Honduras looked to break away. But before they could do so, a lingering Cacace lined up a half-volley on his left foot, firing it into the top right of the net from around 30 meters out, and making a strong case for goal of the tournament. However, not everything went perfectly for New Zealand. Prior to Cacace's goal, skipper Winston Reid limped off with an injury and may be in doubt for the rest of the tournament. His absence was sorely missed as Honduras equalized late in the first half, Palma heading powerfully to beat goalkeeper Michael Woud at the near post.

 

Things would go from bad to worse for the Kiwi goalkeeper in the second half. After Wood slotted home early in the second half to regain New Zealand's advantage, a pair of Woud errors gifted Honduras two further goals and the game. The first came after his goal kick in the 77th minute was innocuously headed back towards him from a Honduran head, only for he and George Stanger to be caught staring at each other, allowing Obregón to poke the ball past them and into the goal. The winner came less than ten minutes later, as Woud was left flailing after a tepid shot from the left side of the box by Rivas somehow got past him.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 横浜国際総合競技場 <Yokohama Kokusai Sōgō Kyōgi-jō> / Yokohama International Stadium (Yokohama)

DATE: 25-07-2021 (17:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Ismail Elfath (USA)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Douglas Luiz (RC 13’) / Ismaël Diallo (19’), Kouassi (65’), Kouassi (80’ > RC)

[Incidents: Douglas Luiz (min. 13) and Kouassi (min. 80) were both sent off.]

BRA

Brasil

Brazil - Ivory Coast

Côte d’Ivoire

CIV

0-0 (0-0)

BRAZIL

Santos

Dani Alves (c), Nino, Diego Carlos, Arana

Antony (Martinelli 74’), Douglas Luiz, Matheus Cunha, Bruno Guimarães, Claudinho

Richarlison (Paulinho 79’)

COACH: André Jardine

IVORY COAST

Eliezer

Ouattara (Kouao 63’), Singo, Bailly, Dabila, I. Diallo

A. Diallo (Kouamé 63’), Kouassi, Kessié (I. Doumbia 90+’), Gradel (c) (Keïta 90+’)

Dao (Timité 75’)

COACH: Soualiho Haïdara

GAME SUMMARY

Playing with 10 men for most of the game, Brazil held the Ivory Coast to a 0-0 draw in Yokohama. The defending Olympic champions were at a disadvantage early on when Douglas Luiz Soares was controversially sent off in the 13th minute. André Jardine’s team couldn’t take advantage of Richarlison de Andrade’s speed as they did in the opening game against Germany because Ivory Coast, led in midfield by Franck Kessié, was an unbreakable block. Douglas Luiz’s early red card changed the game’s scenery, as it gave more air to Soualiho Haïdara’s men and made life difficult for the Brazilian attackers, whose constant attempts died in the defensive net of the Ivorian block. Even with a man down, Brazil had more ball possession (56% / 44%) but without the fluidity and clarity that they had against Germany. They still had a chance or two when Ivorian midfielder Eboué Kouassi was sent off for a second yellow card after 80 minutes, but they were unable to break the deadlock.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 札幌ドーム <Sapporo Dōmu> / Sapporo Dome (Sapporo)

DATE: 25-07-2021 (19:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Bamlak Tessema (ETH)

GOALS: 0-1 (Oyarzabal 81’)

BOOKED: Wales (43’), McGree (52’), Duke (57’), Atkinson (90+’) / Óscar Gil (3’), Unai Simón (90+’)

AUS

Australia

Australia - Spain

España

SPA

0-1 (0-0)

AUSTRALIA

Glover

Atkinson, Deng (c) (D’Agostino 83’), Souttar, King

Wales (Rowles 63’), Genreau (Watts 73’), Metcalfe, Arzani (Tilio 63’)

McGree (Baccus 73’), Duke

COACH: Graham Arnold

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Óscar Gil (Rafa Mir 76’), Eric García, Pau Torres, Cucurella

Soler (Asensio 68’), Zubimendi, Pedri

Dani Olmo, Oyarzabal (c), Puado (Bryan 57’)

COACH: Luis de la Fuente

GAME SUMMARY

Spain left it late to beat Australia, but they managed to do it with a 1-0 win, thanks to an 81st minute goal by Mikel Oyarzabal. Before that, it looked like it was going to be another frustrating evening for La Rojita in Sapporo, after the 0-0 draw against Egypt. Oyarzabal hit the crossbar midway the first half as Australia defended deep and tried to shut the Spaniards out. The Socceroos failed to create much of note and eventually Spain got the winner when Marco Asensio crossed for Oyarzabal to nod home.

 

Spain showed a little too much intent early on with Óscar Gil being shown a yellow card inside three minutes following consecutive fouls on Daniel Arzani. Australia, who stunned Argentina 2-0 in their opener, started the game on the back foot as Spain dominated possession and didn't give them any time to settle on the ball. La Rojita were carving out some space in the final third, with FC Barcelona midfielder Pedri firing a strong effort right at Tom Glover after 19 minutes before Oyarzabal hit the crossbar just moments later. Arzani loomed as the Olyroos' most dangerous outlet in attack, but he struggled to find the decisive pass to unlock Spain's defense following a few dangerous runs. Despite Spain dominating the first 45 minutes, Australia dug deep in defense and ensured the scores remained locked at 0-0 heading into the break.

 

The Olyroos looked to show a bit more in attack after halftime, with the green and gold registering their first shot after 51 minutes via a wayward effort from Denis Genreau following a promising breakaway. Spain continued to boss possession however and created some solid opportunities, but struggled to make the most of them as Australia rode their luck at the back. Chasing a winner, Luis de la Fuente threw on Real Madrid star Marco Asensio with just over 20 minutes remaining, and it was he who provided the cross for captain Oyarzabal to head home in the 81st minute. The green and gold searched desperately for a late equalizer, but never looked likely of finding the back of the net defended by Unai Simón.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 埼玉スタジアム2002 <Saitama Sutajiamu 2002> / Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama)

DATE: 25-07-2021 (20:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Artur Soares Dias (POR)

GOALS: 1-0 (Kubo 6’); 2-0 (Dōan [p.] 11’); 2-1 (Alvarado 85’)

BOOKED: Sakai (47’), Tanaka (48’) / Montes (11’), Charly Rodríguez (25’), Jorge Sánchez (29’), Vásquez (RC 68’)

[Incidents: Vásquez was sent off (min. 68).]

JAP

日本

Japan - Mexico

México

MEX

2-1 (2-0)

JAPAN

Tani

Sakai, Yoshida (c), Itakura, Nakayama

Dōan (Mitoma 79’), Tanaka, Kubo, Endo, Soma (Maeda 65’)

Hayashi (Ueda 79’)

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

MEXICO

Ochoa (c)

Jorge Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Erick Aguirre (Loroña 43’)

Charly Rodríguez (Esquivel 57’), Romo, Córdova

Lainez (Antuna 66’), Henry Martín, Vega (Alvarado 67’)

COACH: Jimmy Lozano

GAME SUMMARY

Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Dōan scored in the opening 11 minutes to lead Japan to a 2-1 victory over Mexico in Saitama. Following an exhilarating opening win against one of the favorites for the gold medal, France, Mexico was brought back down to earth by the hosts. Kubo took advantage of a hesitation from the Mexican defense to net a powerful shot in the sixth minute. Dōan then converted from the penalty spot to shock Mexico. Although El Tri had Johan Vásquez sent off in the 68th minute, Roberto Alvarado still gave Mexico brief hope of a comeback by scoring in the 85th from a free-kick. Vladimir Loroña almost worked the miracle with a late header saved.

 

Japan punched Mexico in the mouth early with two goals and Jimmy Lozano’s side took a couple of bad hits later on—namely, an injury to the starting left-back (Erick Aguirre) and a red card to the starting center-back (Vásquez). But the Mexicans staggered back, regained their footing and delivered the final blows, leaving them with an overall optimistic vibe for what’s ahead. Japan jumped all over Mexico in the opening minutes and disoriented El Tri with harrying pressure and speedy, swarming attacking movements. The hosts scored on one lightning-quick cross and first-time finish in the box (Dōan to Kubo in the 6th minute) and then forced a giveaway and a reckless Mexican tackle in the box, which resulted in a penalty kick goal (Dōan in the 11st minute). Just like that, Japan, up 2-0 inside the first quarter, proceeded to sit back and defend in numbers. Things only got more complicated for Mexico when left-back Erick Aguirre fell to injury just before halftime and center-back Vásquez was sent off in the 68th minute for a foul on Dōan that denied an obvious goal-scoring opportunity. Set pieces became the best way for the Mexicans to get a clean look at the Japanese goal. It finally happened on an 85th-minute Alvarado dead ball into the box from the right, which bypassed everyone on its way into the goal. Later, El Tri nearly equalized on another set-piece header, which the Japanese goalkeeper tipped over the bar.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: カシマサッカースタジアム <Kashima Sakkā Sutajiamu> / Kashima Soccer Stadium (Kashima)

DATE: 25-07-2021 (20:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)

GOALS: 0-1 (Marin [o.g.] 28’); 0-2 (Um Won-sang 59’); 0-3 (Lee Kang-in [p.] 84’); 0-4 (Lee Kang-in 90’)

BOOKED: Ion Gheorghe (25’), Ion Gheorghe (45’ > RC), Pașcanu (68’) / Jeong Seung-won (8’)

[Incidents: Ion Gheorghe was sent off (min. 45).]

ROM

România

Romania - South Korea

한국

SKR

0-4 (0-1)

ROMANIA

Aioani

Pașcanu, Marin (c), Ghiță, Boboc (Grigore 64’)

Dobre, Dulca (Băluță 76’), Ciobanu (Florescu 76’), I. Gheorghe, Sefer (V. Gheorghe 56’)

Ganea (Sîntean 56’)

COACH: Mirel Rădoi

SOUTH KOREA

Song B.K.

Sul Y.W., Jung T.W. (c), Park J.S., Kang Y.S.

Um W.S. (Kim J.W. 90’), Won D.J., Jeong S.W. (Kwon C.H. 46’), Lee D.J. (Song M.G. 65’)

Lee D.G. (Kim J.G. 78’), Hwang U.J. (Lee K.I. 78’)

COACH: Kim Hak-bum

GAME SUMMARY

Valencia midfielder Lee Kang-in scored twice after coming off the bench in the second half to lead South Korea to a 4-0 victory over 10-man Romania in Kashima. Romania captain Marius Marin deflected the ball into his own net in the 28th minute and then Ion Gheorghe was sent off at the end of the first half after receiving a second yellow card. Um Won-sang doubled the Korean lead in the 59th before Lee Kang-in scored from the penalty spot in the 84th and from a low shot in the 90th.

 

The first goal of the match came in the 28th minute, when Lee Dong-joon’s cross intended for Hwang Ui-jo went into the net off Marin’s right foot. South Korea dodged a huge bullet in the 32nd minute when goalkeeper Song Bum-keun grabbed a back pass from teammate Won Doo-jae, mistakenly thinking that the ball had come off a Romanian player. The Europeans were awarded an indirect free-kick near the goalmouth, and Song Bum-keun somehow managed to parry a hard shot by Andrei Ciobanu. Romania went down a man when Ion Gheorghe picked up his second yellow card of the match in the 45th minute for elbowing Kang Yoon-sung. Holding the man advantage to open the second half, South Korea kept pressing for more goals, and they doubled their advantage near the hour mark when Um Won-sang’s shot was deflected into the Romanian net. Six minutes from time, Lee Kang-in killed the game off from the penalty spot after Sul Young-woo had been fouled in the box, then scored his second after being set up by Kang Yoon-sung.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 横浜国際総合競技場 <Yokohama Kokusai Sōgō Kyōgi-jō> / Yokohama International Stadium (Yokohama)

DATE: 25-07-2021 (20:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Víctor Gomes (SAF)

GOALS: 0-1 (Amiri 11’); 1-1 (Al-Najei 30’); 1-2 (Ache 43’); 2-2 (Al-Najei 50’); 2-3 (Uduokhai 75’)

BOOKED: Al-Hamdan (90+’) / Pieper (RC 67’)

[Incidents: Pieper was sent off (min. 67).]

KSA

العربية السعودية

Saudi Arabia - Germany

Deutschland

GER

2-3 (1-2)

SAUDI ARABIA

Al-Rubaie

Abdulhamid (Al-Yami 86’), Al-Amri, Hindi (K. Al-Dosari 86’), Al-Shahrani

Al-Khulaif (Gharib 68’), Al-Hassan, Al-Najei, Al-Faraj (c) (Yahya 86’), S. Al-Dosari

Al-Hamdan

COACH: Saad al-Shehri

GERMANY

Müller

Henrichs, Pieper, Uduokhai, Raum

Ache (Richter 83’), Maier (Stach 70’), Amiri (Schlotterbeck 73’), Löwen, Teuchert (Torunarigha 69’)

Kruse (c)

COACH: Stefan Kuntz

GAME SUMMARY

Germany twice threw away their lead and had a player sent off before Felix Uduokhai gave the team a 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia. Nadiem Amiri had given Germany the lead after eleven minutes, but Sami al-Najei equalized on the hour mark after goalkeeper Florian Müller could only parry a shot from Salem al-Dosari. Ragnar Ache restored Germany’s lead in the 43th, but five minutes into the second half Saudi Arabia were able to draw level again through Al-Najei. Amos Pieper was sent off for a late challenge in the 67th minute, as Stefan Kuntz’s side rallied to turn the game around. In the 75th minute, Uduokhai headed home the winner for Germany.

 

Germany attacked with more intent right from the start, with several chances in the opening minutes. Ache headed just wide (min. 4) before both Eduard Löwen (min. 5) and Kruse (min. 6) tested Saudi Arabia’s goalkeeper Mohammed al-Rubaie. Benjamin Henrichs, Kruse and Cedric Teuchert linked up beautifully in the 11th minute to set up Amiri, who was able to tap home unmarked at the far post to open the scoring. Although Germany was able to contain Saudi Arabia for much of the first half, the Green Eagles scored off their first real chance of the night, at the half hour mark, when Müller was unable to keep hold of Salem al-Dosari’s shot and Al-Najei swept home the rebound. Ache then had a shot from outside the area in the 37th minute, but Al-Rubaie scooped it up easily. A strong tackle from David Raum denied Saudi Arabia just before the break (min. 39). The German domination was rewarded with another goal just before the break, when Pieper’s long ball found Ache, who was then able to poke home his own rebound to put Germany back in the lead.

 

Saudi Arabia came out of the halftime break strong, and took advantage of Germany’s lack of concentration at the back to equalize. Once again, it was Al-Najei who would beat Müller (min. 50). Stefan Kuntz’s side had difficulties defending their opponent’s quick counterattacks, and created few chances for themselves in the minutes that followed. The best chance of the opening 15 minutes of the second half fell to Amiri after a quick give-and-go (min. 55). After a late challenge from Pieper, South African referee Víctor Gomes showed the defender a straight red card after consulting the VAR (min. 67). Germany were forced to play the final 20 minutes of the match a man down against a dangerous Saudi Arabian side, but they stroke again from a set piece. After a corner from Kruse, Uduokhai was able to head home unmarked from the goal mouth to put Germany back ahead (min. 75). Ache then came close to adding another just minutes later. Saudi Arabia continued to press for another equalizer, but this time Germany held on to their advantage and kept their qualification hopes alive.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 埼玉スタジアム2002 <Saitama Sutajiamu 2002> / Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama)

DATE: 28-07-2021 (17:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Bamlak Tessema (ETH)

GOALS: 0-1 (Matheus Cunha 14’); 1-1 (Al-Amri 27’); 1-2 (Richarlison 76’); 1-3 (Richarlison 90+’)

BOOKED: Al-Shahrani (29’), Ali (74’), K. Al-Dosari (80’), Bukhari (90+’) / Arana (26’), Martinelli (90+’), Dani Alves (90+’)

KSA

العربية السعودية

Saudi Arabia - Brazil

Brasil

BRA

1-3 (1-1)

SAUDI ARABIA

Bukhari

Abdulhamid, Al-Amri, K. Al-Dosari (Al-Ghannam 89’), Hindi, Al-Shahrani

Al-Najei (Gharib 61’), Al-Hassan (Ali 61’), Al-Faraj (c) (Al-Omran 89’), S. Al-Dosari

Al-Hamdan (Al-Buraikan 78’)

COACH: Saad al-Shehri

BRAZIL

Santos

Dani Alves (c), Nino, Diego Carlos, Arana (Abner 88’)

Antony (Malcom 46’), Matheus Henrique, Matheus Cunha (Martinelli 84’), Bruno Guimarães (Gabriel Menino 84’), Claudinho (Reinier 71’)

Richarlison

COACH: André Jardine

GAME SUMMARY

Richarlison de Andrade scored a brace as Brazil advanced to the quarterfinals of the Olympic football tournament with a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia in Saitama, while the Asian team is eliminated. Matheus Cunha gave the Canarinha the lead in the 14th minute, but Abdulelah al-Amri equalized in the 27th with a goal that was confirmed by video review. Everton attacker Richarlison scored a header in the 76th and then added his second in stoppage time to become the top scorer of the Olympic tournament with five goals.

 

Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in Saitama in what seemed like one more day in the office for Brazil. In minute 14, Claudinho Rodrigues kicked the perfect corner from the left and the head of the Hertha attacker got between the two Saudi central defenders. The South Americans almost doubled their lead five minutes later when Antony Matheus, assisted by Guilherme Arana, headed onto the crossbar. Much against the run of play, Saudi Arabia tied in minute 27 when Diego Carlos Santos jumped a little earlier to head away a ball into the area and let Al-Amri come from behind to finish off with an accurate header. The Saudis almost scored their second in the 33rd minute, after a counterattack from the right took the Brazilian defense in disarray and Sami al-Najei crossed for Abdullah al-Hamdan free in the small area, but Nino Mota managed to arrive like a rocket and save the goal with his left boot. Antony had a great opportunity to score Brazil’s second in minute 40, but Amin Bukhari produced an extraordinary instant save to deny the Ajax winger from close range.

 

Brazil continued dominating possession in the second half, but lacked the final touch and hovered around the Saudi area without creating many opportunities. In their first clear sight on goal, twenty minutes after the re-start, Matheus Cunha picked up a rebound on the Saudi goalkeeper and shot against the post. With the news of the Ivory Coast goal against Germany, the draw momentarily left Brazil as second in the group and possible rival for Spain in the quarterfinals. It was Richarlison who avoided this scenario for the Canarinha in minute 76 coming from behind to break the Saudi backline and finish with a close-range header. Substitute Reinier Carvalho, who had entered in minute 71, set the game on fire. He almost scored after an individual play in minute 81 and did all the work to assist Richarlison for his second in injury time.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ひとめぼれスタジアム宮城 <Hitomebore Sutajiamu Miyagi> / Hitomebore Stadium Miyagi (Rifu)

DATE: 28-07-2021 (17:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 1.000

REFEREE: Leodán González (URU)

GOALS: 0-1 (Henrichs [o.g.] 67’); 1-1 (Löwen 73’)

BOOKED: Arnold (30’) / Kouamé (1’), Keïta (21’)

[Incidents: Around 1,000 spectators were allowed to attend the match in Hitomebore Stadium as Rifu, in the north district of Miyagi, is not under the same state of emergency that affects Tokyo and prevents fans from attending Olympic events in the capital.]

GER

Deutschland

Germany - Ivory Coast

Côte d’Ivoire

CIV

1-1 (0-0)

GERMANY

Müller

Henrichs, Torunarigha, Uduokhai, Raum

Richter (Teuchert 62’), Maier (Stach 79’), Kruse, Arnold (c) (Löwen 46’), Amiri (Schlotterbeck 88’)

Ache

COACH: Stefan Kuntz

IVORY COAST

Eliezer

Singo, Bailly, Dabila, I. Diallo

Kouamé (Ouattara 90+’), I. Doumbia (A. Diallo 57’), Kessié, Keïta, Gradel (c)

Dao

COACH: Soualiho Haïdara

GAME SUMMARY

Germany, who won silver at the 2016 Rio Games, was eliminated from the 2020 Tokyo tournament after a 1-1 draw with Ivory Coast in Rifu. Benjamin Henrichs scored an own-goal in the 67th minute to give the Ivorians the lead. Although Eduard Löwen equalized six minutes later from a free-kick, the Germans could not produce a second goal to keep their chances alive.

 

Stefan Kuntz’s side came into the match a point behind Ivory Coast and knowing anything less than a victory would mean elimination. An early yellow card shown to Christian Kouamé slowed down the Ivorian push to take the ball forward. Germany continued to exert pressure on their opponents and in the seventh minute Marco Richter created enough space for himself after stepping past three defenders, but his final effort was well gathered by Ivorian goalkeeper Eliezer Tapé. After a bright start by Germany, Ivory Coast grew into the game and took a deserved lead on 67 minutes when Heinrichs bundled into his own goal. The Europeans equalized six minutes later through Löwen’s stunning free-kick to set up a tense finish, but they were unable to find a winner, as the Ivorian team held on to secure a vital draw.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 札幌ドーム <Sapporo Dōmu> / Sapporo Dome (Sapporo)

DATE: 28-07-2021 (17:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Kevin Ortega (PER)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Chindriș (28’), Dulca (31’) / Garbett (21’), Elliot (42’), Stamenic (89’)

ROM

România

Romania - New Zealand

Aotearoa

NZL

0-0 (0-0)

ROMANIA

Aioani

Rațiu, Grigore, Chindriș (Deaconu 79’), Ghiță, Ștefan

Marin (c), Dulca (Ciobanu 79’)

Dobre (V. Gheorghe 79’), Sîntean (Ganea 59’), Florescu (Sefer 87’)

COACH: Mirel Rădoi

NEW ZEALAND

Woud

Elliot (Ingham 46’), Stensness, Pijnaker, Cacace

Just, Stamenic, Bell, Champness (McCowatt 46’)

Wood (c), Garbett (Lewis 72’)

COACH: Danny Hay

GAME SUMMARY

New Zealand advanced to the quarterfinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament after drawing 0-0 with Romania in Sapporo. Aware that a draw was enough to make it to the knock-out stages ahead of Romania on goal difference, and without influential captain Winston Reid, the resilient OlyWhites kept their rivals at bay through ball possession. Goalkeeper Michael Woud, bouncing back from his unfortunate performance against Honduras, had a series of decisive interventions to save the Kiwis from defeat and elimination. Early on, he palmed away an effort from Eduard Florescu, who cut in from the right and aimed his shot at the goalkeeper’s near post. His second save came on the hour mark, when he squeezed the ball between his legs to deny Marius Marin, who tried to head home at a corner. And his third followed seven minutes later, when he batted away a back-post header from Andrei Rațiu.

 

The OlyWhites had more possession than they did in their first two matches, building out from the back via center-backs Nando Pijnaker and Gianni Stensness, who both had strong outings. Joe Champness was a live wire, twice getting in behind and trying to find Chris Wood (once off the back of a well-executed press), and he also had a couple of blocked shots himself. Wood went close with a header at a corner and with a free-kick sent along the ground, palmed away by Romanian keeper Mihai Aioani, who also cleared the ball at a corner from the tip of Wood’s nose. The OlyWhites continued to dictate terms for most of the second half, but couldn’t fashion the goal they needed to give themselves breathing space, and as the scores stayed level at 0-0, Romania began to push forward, forcing Woud into action twice. The Kiwis’ best chance to find a winner in the second half came when a Liberato Cacace cross fell to Wood in the box, but the Burnley striker couldn’t get a clean shot off. Marko Stamenic picked up his second yellow card in the closing stages of the game, which will rule him out of the quarterfinal match against Japan.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 横浜国際総合競技場 <Yokohama Kokusai Sōgō Kyōgi-jō> / Yokohama International Stadium (Yokohama)

DATE: 28-07-2021 (17:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Georgi Kabakov (BUL)

GOALS: 1-0 (Hwang Ui-jo [p.] 12’); 2-0 (Won Doo-jae [p.] 19’); 3-0 (Hwang Ui-jo 45+’); 4-0 (Hwang Ui-jo [p.] 52’); 5-0 (Kim Jin-ya 64’); 6-0 (Lee Kang-in 82’)

BOOKED: Lee Kang-in (65’) / Carlos Meléndez (17’), Núñez (26’), Carlos Meléndez (39’ > RC), Cristopher Meléndez (51’)

[Incidents: Carlos Meléndez was sent off (min. 39).]

SKR

한국

South Korea - Honduras

Honduras

HON

6-0 (3-0)

SOUTH KOREA

Song B.K.

Sul Y.W., Jung T.W. (c), Park J.S., Kang Y.S. (Kim J.W. 57’)

Lee D.J. (Um W.S. 46’), Kim J.G., Won D.J. (Kim D.H. 72’), Kwon C.H. (Lee D.G. 73’), Kim J.Y.

Hwang U.J. (Lee K.I. 57’)

COACH: Kim Hak-bum

HONDURAS

Güity

Oliva, Maldonado (c), Carlos Meléndez, Decas

Rodríguez (Álvarez 70’), Pineda (Rivas 46’), Núñez

Reyes, Martínez (Moya 46’), Palma (Cristopher Meléndez 43’)

COACH: Miguel Falero

GAME SUMMARY

South Korea cruised into the quarterfinals of the Tokyo Olympic football tournament after a 6-0 victory over Honduras in Yokohama, with a hat-trick from Girondins de Bordeaux striker Hwang Ui-jo. The Asian Tigers, who entered this match in first place in the group and only needing a draw to advance to the knock-outs, thrashed a hapless Honduras, who went down a man late in the first half when Carlos Meléndez was shown a red card.

 

Hwang Ui-jo scored the first of his three goals on a 12th-minute penalty, which was awarded when Lee Dong-joon was brought down in the box by Wesly Decas. South Korea hit the crossbar twice in a chaotic sequence four minutes later, and then earned another penalty in the 17th minute when Carlos Meléndez was cautioned for a foul on Jung Tae-wook in the Honduran area. This time, Won Doo-jae stepped up and converted the spot kick to double South Korea's lead. Carlos Meléndez was sent off in the 39th minute on his second yellow card of the match, and Hwang Ui-jo exploited the man advantage during injury time with his second of the contest. Hwang Ui-jo completed his hat-trick with another penalty in the 52nd minute after a foul by Cristopher Meléndez on Kim Jin-ya. South Korea kept piling on, and Kim Jin-ya got himself on the scoring act in the 64th minute to give South Korea a 5-0 lead. Lee Kang-in made it 6-0 with a left-footed shot in the 82nd minute.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: ひとめぼれスタジアム宮城 <Hitomebore Sutajiamu Miyagi> / Hitomebore Stadium Miyagi (Rifu)

DATE: 28-07-2021 (20:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 4.471

REFEREE: Artur Soares Dias (POR)

GOALS: 0-1 (Rayyan 44’); 0-2 (A. Hamdi 85’)

BOOKED: Baccus (78’) / Akram (36’), A. Hamdi (90+’)

[Incidents: Around 5,000 spectators were allowed to attend the match in Hitomebore Stadium as Rifu, in the north district of Miyagi, is not under the same state of emergency that affects Tokyo and prevents fans from attending Olympic events in the capital.]

AUS

Australia

Australia - Egypt

مصر

EGY

0-2 (0-1)

AUSTRALIA

Glover

Pierias (Arzani 46’), Deng (c), Souttar, Rowles, King

Wales (Rich-Baghuelou 63’), Genreau (Baccus 46’), Metcalfe (Devlin 90+’), Tilio

D’Agostino (Watts 90’)

COACH: Graham Arnold

EGYPT

El-Shenawi

El-Eraki, Galal, Hegazi (c), M. Hamdi, El-Fotouh

Taher (Adel 78’), Akram (Ashour 90’), R. Sobhi (Maher 90’)

Mohsen (A. Hamdi 60’), Rayyan (Mansi 78’)

COACH: Shawqi Gharib

GAME SUMMARY

Despite starting the game at the bottom of Group C, Egypt qualified for the quarterfinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic tournament after defeating Australia 2-0 in Rifu. The Olyroos, who seemingly needed just a draw to progress ahead of their African rivals, lacked the finishing touch to take their chances in front of goal in the second half, something that The Pharaohs just did when they were presented with the opportunities. There was a clear gulf in class between the Australians and their North African opponents, particularly in the first half. After a dominant period by Egypt, Ahmed Rayyan opened the scoring near halftime. The green and gold—missing Mitch Duke, Riley McGree and Nathaniel Atkinson through suspension—battled valiantly to get back in the game in the second half, but squandered a number of golden opportunities, with Egypt goalkeeper Mohammed el-Shenawi making two vital saves. Against the run of play, The Pharaohs sealed the win in the 85th minute through Amar Hamdi.

 

Egypt started the better of the two teams right from the outset, pushing forward to create three opportunities in the opening five minutes. Salah Mohsen blazed over the bar after a corner was nodded back across goal, while Taher Mohammed nearly nipped in a one-on-one opportunity after the ball went over Harry Souttar’s head, but Olyroos goalkeeper Tom Glover claimed the heavy touch from the Egyptian attacker. Mohsen again had a chance to open the scoring shortly after from a ball floated in behind, but he skied his shot as the Australians struggled to close down the space on the flanks. The Egyptians continued to dominate the attacking play, finding space at will behind Australia's wing-backs, with a couple of crucial blocks by Aussie defenders stopping shots from the top of the area. It took the Olyroos until midway through the half to create their first chance, with Dylan Pierias getting to the byline down the right before spearing a cross through the penalty area that was too high for striker Nick D’Agostino. It was D’Agostino again who had Australia’s first effort on goal, harmlessly heading over the bar from a deep position a Lachlan Wales’ cross from the left wing. The Olyroos slowly worked their way into the game, but it was Egypt who struck first on the stroke of halftime when Ramadan Sobhi managed to get around Souttar rather easily at the byline before setting up Rayyan, who calmly side-footed into the net.

 

Australia was clearly given a stern talking to by coach Graham Arnold during the break, as they came out with renewed purpose to start the second half with Daniel Arzani and Keanu Baccus coming on to replace Pierias and Denis Genreau. Joel King threatened on two occasions after getting forward from his left-back position, with the green and gold looking more likely to carve out chances after the two halftime substitutions. Arzani had a golden opportunity to equalize after being set up by Marco Tilio, but his shot was straight at Egyptian goalkeeper. Ramadan Sobhi again threatened after getting in behind, but Glover came out to smother the ball. With the Olyroos chasing an equalizer, Arnold decided to bring on Crystal Palace towering center-back Jay Rich-Baghuelou as a striker, with his height intended to trouble the Egyptian backline, but it was Egypt who nearly sealed the game in the 70th minute when Amar Hamdi struck the crossbar with a shot and Ramadan Sobhi couldn't head into an empty net. Arzani continued to work his way into the game and would have had an equalizer in minute 80 if it wasn't for a magnificent save from El-Shenawi, after the Manchester City-owned winger slalomed his way through two defenders before launching a shot on goal that would have been net bound if not for the Egyptian goalkeeper. From the resulting corner, El-Shenawi made another terrific save from Thomas Deng’s excellent downward header. Australia’s failure to take their chances was their undoing in the end, as Egypt struck the fatal second goal with only a few minutes remaining when Amar Hamdi profited from Glover’s spill, after the Aussie goalkeeper couldn't grasp Nasser Mansi’s shot. El-Shenawi underlined his man-of-the-match performance by denying Olyroos substitute Caleb Watts in stoppage time.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 埼玉スタジアム2002 <Saitama Sutajiamu 2002> / Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama)

DATE: 28-07-2021 (20:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Ismail Elfath (USA)

GOALS: 1-0 (Merino 66’); 1-1 (Belmonte 87’)

BOOKED: Óscar Gil (83’) / Nehuén (10’), Vera (53’), Colombatto (58’), Payero (61’), Bravo (81’), Mosevich (90+’)

SPA

España

Spain - Argentina

Argentina

ARG

1-1 (0-0)

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Óscar Gil (Vallejo 87’), Eric García, Pau Torres, Cucurella

Merino (c) (Moncayola 87’), Zubimendi, Pedri (Soler 74’)

Asensio, Oyarzabal (Rafa Mir 74’), Dani Olmo (Bryan 85’)

COACH: Luis de la Fuente

ARGENTINA

Ledesma

Herrera, Nehuén (c), Medina, Bravo (Mosevich 83’)

Barco (De la Vega 46’), Belmonte, Mac Allister (Payero 55’), Vera (Colombatto 55’), Urzi (Almada 70’)

Gaich

COACH: Fernando Batista

GAME SUMMARY

After playing with fire during the group stage, Spain qualified for the quarterfinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament, and they did it as group winners after a 1-1 draw with Argentina, thus avoiding Brazil until a hypothetical final and facing instead Ivory Coast in the first knock-out round. After captain Mikel Merino had opened the scoring in minute 66, La Rojita conceded a late equalizer by Tomás Belmonte due to a defensive error, but the result was enough to see them scrape through into the knock-out stages.

 

The game began at a slow pace and without danger in front of either goal. The first interesting situation came in the 14th minute, when Ezequiel Barco shot a spectacular shot from the edge of the box onto the grass, but goalkeeper Unai Simón covered his left corner well and deflected the ball. Ten minutes later, Adolfo Gaich headed a corner kick straight at Unai Simón’s hands. The slow pace continued until the end of the first half, with imprecise shots from Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo for Spain and Alexis Mac Allister for Argentina. The best chance of the first forty-five minutes fell to Oyarzabal, who went through one-on-one with the goalkeeper but spurned the opportunity after selfishly ignoring a square pass to Merino—probably thinking that his Real Sociedad teammate was offside.

 

Five minutes into the second half, the Spaniards missed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Marco Asensio sent a right-wing cross to Oyarzabal, who deceived an Argentine defender to assist Dani Olmo, but the young Spanish attacker shot over the bar. Shortly afterwards, Pedri González picked out Oyarzabal on the left, and the Real Sociedad attacker also shot wide over. In the 56th minute, Oyarzabal received a good pass in the box and finally could shoot on goal, but this time he was denied by goalkeeper Jeremías Ledesma. Spain’s persistence in the second half was finally rewarded in the 66th minute when Marco Asensio picked out Dani Olmo at the far post with a fine cross and the RB Leipzig attacker assisted Merino to finish off from close range at the bottom right corner. La Rojita dominated proceedings from that point on and it didn't look like they'd be pegged back by the desperate Argentine pressure. That was until the 87th minute, seconds after goalkeeper Unai Simón had prevented an own goal by Eric García, when Belmonte found himself all alone in the box from a corner to head in a leveller. However, there was no time for an Albiceleste comeback and Argentina was eliminated from the tournament, while Spain made it to the quarterfinals, although coach Luis de la Fuente would not have been pleased at the way his side managed their advantage in the closing stage of the match.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 横浜国際総合競技場 <Yokohama Kokusai Sōgō Kyōgi-jō> / Yokohama International Stadium (Yokohama)

DATE: 28-07-2021 (20:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Iván Barton (SLV)

GOALS: 0-1 (Kubo 27’); 0-2 (Sakai 34’); 0-3 (Miyoshi 70’); 0-4 (Maeda 90+’)

BOOKED: Pembélé (58’), Michelin (66’), Kolo Muani (RC 73’) / Tomiyasu (22’), Sakai (44’)

[Incidents: Kolo Muani was sent off (min. 73).]

FRA

France

France - Japan

日本

JAP

0-4 (0-2)

FRANCE

Bernardoni

Michelin, Kalulu (Sagnan 62’), Caci, Pembélé (Bard 62’)

Beka Beka, Tousart, Savanier (Le Fée 38’)

Thauvin, Gignac (c), Kolo Muani

COACH: Sylvain Ripoll

JAPAN

Tani

Sakai (Hashioka 55’), Yoshida (c), Tomiyasu, Nakayama

Dōan (Soma 72’), Tanaka (Maeda 80’), Kubo (Miyoshi 46’), Endo (Itakura 72’), Hatate

Ueda

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

GAME SUMMARY

Japan punched their ticket to the quarterfinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament with an emphatic 4-0 win over France, who was eliminated. Twenty-year-old Real Madrid winger Takefusa Kubo maintained his perfect streak of scoring in every match of the tournament with the opening goal near the half-hour mark. Veteran fullback Hiroki Sakai (one of Japan’s three overage players), attacking midfielder Koji Miyoshi and striker Daizen Maeda also found the net in a dominant performance by the Blue Samurais at Yokohama International Stadium, securing top spot in Group A with a maximum nine points. France finished the match with ten men after forward Randal Kolo Muani was shown a red card in the 73rd minute, with his side already trailing 3-0.

 

Needing to earn three points and also overcome a negative goal difference, France took only a minute to unload their first shot through midfielder Alexis Beka Beka. But after a settling in period, the hosts began to pin the Europeans down with a crisp passing game, with the bulk of the action taking place inside the French half. Making his first start of the Olympics, Kashima Antlers forward Ayase Ueda had a hand in Japan’s first three goals. He forced diving saves from French goalkeeper Paul Bernardoni that enabled Kubo (min. 27), and later Sakai (min. 34), to fire home off the rebound. In the 70th minute, he corralled a ball over the top and teed up second-half substitute Miyoshi to score from the edge of the area. After coming off the bench in the 80th minute, Yokohama F. Marinos forward Maeda rounded out the scoring in injury time on the familiar turf of his J-League side’s home ground by firing home from the left of the area off a cross from Nagoya Grampus winger Yuki Soma.

 

GROUP STAGE

STADIUM: 札幌ドーム <Sapporo Dōmu> / Sapporo Dome (Sapporo)

DATE: 28-07-2021 (20:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Matt Conger (NZL)

GOALS: 0-1 (Vega 18’); 0-2 (Romo 45’); 0-3 (Henry Martín 60’)

BOOKED: Mohamme (4’), Malepe (RC 58’), Cele (75’) / Charly Rodríguez (RC 66’)

[Incidents: Malepe (min. 58) and Charly Rodríguez (min. 66) were both sent off.]

SAF

Suid-Afrika

South Africa - Mexico

México

MEX

0-3 (0-2)

SOUTH AFRICA

Williams

Mukumela (Mahlangu 67’), Fleurs, Malepe (c), Mohamme

Singh, Cele (Mosele 83’), Mahlatsi, Mokoena, Kodisang (Frosler 61’)

Makgopa (Ngcobo 83’)

COACH: David Notoane

MEXICO

Ochoa (c)

Loroña, Montes, J.A. Angulo, J. Sánchez (Mora 71’)

Ch. Rodríguez, Romo, Córdova (Esquivel 71’)

Antuna (J. Angulo 77’), H. Martín (E. Aguirre 75’), Vega (Lainez 77’)

COACH: Jimmy Lozano

GAME SUMMARY

Mexico advanced to the knock-out round of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament with a 3-0 win over South Africa in Sapporo. Playing before 41,000 empty seats in the silent Sapporo Dome, Alexis Vega put Mexico ahead to stay in the 18th minute, although Henry Martín and Uriel Antuna did the work to set up the goal. After a South African turnover at midfield, the ball went to Henry Martín just outside the center circle. The Club América forward dribbled up the middle of the field before dumping the ball off to Antuna on the right wing, while Vega cut toward the left side of the box. That left South African defender Tercious Malepe with two men to mark and when he committed toward Antuna, the Guadalajara winger unselfishly pushed the ball across the goal to Vega for an easy right-footed finish. Luis Romo doubled the Mexican lead in the final minute of the first half after a poor attempted clearance by Teboho Mokena sent the ball into the middle of the penalty area. The Cruz Azul midfielder collected it on the bounce, settled the ball with his first touch, then beat keeper Ronwen Williams from close range. South Africa lost captain Malepe in the 58th minute to a red card for a hard challenge that left Henry Martín limping, but the Club América forward needed just two minutes to get his revenge, beating Williams cleanly with a right-footed shot from the top of the box. Although Mexico’s Charly Rodríguez was also shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Luther Singh, the damage was already done to South Africa, who needed to win by two goals or more in order to qualify for the quarterfinals.

 

1/4 FINAL

STADIUM: ひとめぼれスタジアム宮城 <Hitomebore Sutajiamu Miyagi> / Hitomebore Stadium Miyagi (Rifu)

DATE: 31-07-2021 (17:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: 5.000

REFEREE: Jesús Valenzuela (VEN)

GOALS: 0-1 (Bailly 10’); 1-1 (Dani Olmo 30’); 1-2 (Gradel 90+’); 2-2 (Rafa Mir 90+’); 3-2 (Oyarzabal [p.] 98’); 4-2 (Rafa Mir 117’); 5-2 (Rafa Mir 120+’)

BOOKED: Dani Olmo (70’), Eric García (77’), Soler (114’) / Dabila (74’)

[Incidents: Around 5,000 spectators were allowed to attend the match in Hitomebore Stadium as Rifu, in the north district of Miyagi, is not under the same state of emergency that affects Tokyo and prevents fans from attending Olympic events in the capital.]

SPA

España

Spain - Ivory Coast

Côte d’Ivoire

CIV

5-2 (1-1;2-2)

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Mingueza (Vallejo 10’), Eric García, Pau Torres, Miranda (Cucurella 106’)

Merino (c) (Rafa Mir 90+’), Zubimendi (Moncayola 106’), Pedri (Soler 102’)

Asensio (Bryan 67’), Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo

COACH: Luis de la Fuente

IVORY COAST

Eliezer

Singo, Bailly, Dabila, I. Diallo

Timité (A. Diallo 62’), Kouassi (Kouao 114’), Kessié, Gradel (c)

Kouamé (Keïta 90’), Dao

COACH: Soualiho Haïdara

GAME SUMMARY

Spain ended a 21-year wait to reach the Olympic football semifinals with a 5-2 victory over Ivory Coast in extra time in Rifu. Winger Max Gradel appeared to have secured The Elephants’ ticket instead when he made it 2-1 with a stoppage time strike, only for Rafa Mir to enter the game and have an immediate impact with a goal that forced extra-time, after a baffling error by the Ivorian defense. Ivory Coast’s fate was sealed when defender Éric Bailly, who scored the opener inside ten minutes, turned from hero to villain as he conceded a penalty with a bizarre handball inside the box. Mikel Oyarzabal slotted the ball home from the spot in the 98th minute before Rafa Mir added two more goals past an exhausted Ivory Coast defense to put the result beyond doubt.

 

Spain, as usual, dominated possession (66 percent), but Ivory Coast was patient without the ball and effective with it in generating almost as many chances as its highly-favored opponents. Things couldn’t start worse for La Rojita as, only ten minutes into the game, Óscar Mingueza picked up another injury in his left thigh and, immediately after being substituted by Jesús Vallejo, Bailly took advantage of the inability of the Spanish defense to clear a corner and bundled the ball home. Spain pushed forward in search of a leveller and managed to equalize on the half-hour mark through Dani Olmo, who was smart enough to chase a chest pass from Singo to goalkeeper Eliezer Tapé and poke the ball in. Although possession was Spanish, the most dangerous attacks were on the African side, and Unai Simón produced a couple of stunning saves to deny Cheick Timité and Youssouf Dao to keep Spain in the game. Oyarzabal thought he had completed the Spanish comeback in minute 42 when he was at the other end of a Juan Miranda’s pass to net the ball with a brilliant volley, but the goal was ruled out by VAR decision on a marginal offside of the Real Sociedad attacker.

 

La Rojita came close to scoring again after the interval, but Mikel Merino was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a great effort from the edge of the box. After surviving a couple of scares on the counterattack by the speedy Ivorian attackers, Spain could have scored in minute 89, when Dani Olmo set Oyarzabal for a diagonal shot at the close post, but Eliezer denied him with his left foot. One minute into injury time, Gradel netted what seemed to be the winner for Ivory Coast with a powerful shot that went in under Unai Simón’s body. However, it was substitute Rafa Mir who had the last word after taking advantage of a terrible mistake by Eboué Kouassi, who headed back an air ball in the Ivorian area, and the Huesca attacker reached it faster than Eliezer to poke it home and force extra-time.

 

The emotional shock in the African team, who thought they had qualified for the semifinals, was exacerbated five minutes into the additional period, when Bailly committed a flagrant penalty for a careless handball in a corner kick, which the Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela awarded after VAR assistance and checking. Oyarzabal converted from the spot and a tiring Ivory Coast collapsed after the goal, unable to continue pressing the Spanish interpassing routine. On the counterattack, Rafa Mir killed the game with two new goals and completed his hat-trick.

 

1/4 FINAL

STADIUM: カシマサッカースタジアム <Kashima Sakkā Sutajiamu> / Kashima Soccer Stadium (Kashima)

DATE: 31-07-2021 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Ismail Elfath (USA)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Tomiyasu (89’), Miyoshi (114’) / Bell (19’), Stensness (55’), Garbett (64’), Cacace (71’)

PK: 0-1 (Wood); 1-1 (Ueda) / 1-1 (Cacace [saved]); 2-1 (Itakura) / 2-1 (Lewis [out]); 3-1 (Nakayama) / 3-2 (McCowatt); 4-2 (Yoshida)

JAP

日本

Japan - New Zealand

Aotearoa

NZL

0-0 (0-0;0-0) (pk: 4-2)

JAPAN

Tani

Hashioka, Yoshida (c), Tomiyasu, Hatate (Mitoma 91’)

Dōan (Miyoshi 106’), Endo, Kubo, Tanaka (Itakura 91’), Soma (Nakayama 69’)

Hayashi (Ueda 69’)

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

NEW ZEALAND

Woud

Stensness, Reid (c) (McCowatt 51’), Pijnaker

Elliot (Ingham 79’), Garbett (Just 79’), Bell, Lewis, Cacace

Wood, Waine (Champness 84’)

COACH: Danny Hay

GAME SUMMARY

Japan slipped past New Zealand in penalties to qualify for the semifinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament, where the hosts will face Spain for a ticket to the final. Captain Maya Yoshida scored the winning spot kick to seal victory in the shoot-out following a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes at Kashima Stadium. The OlyWhites held firm during regulation against 21 Japanese shots thanks to the magnificent display of goalkeeper Michael Woud, but his magic ran out during the penalty series and was unable to make any save, while Japanese keeper Kosei Tani stopped New Zealand’s Liberato Cacace and Clayton Lewis sent his kick nowhere near the goal. Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Dōan threatened plenty for Japan, while Chris Wood was New Zealand’s best hope of finding a goal in regulation.

 

Japan should have taken the lead after ten minutes, but Wataru Endo shot wastefully off target after Daichi Hayashi’s cross had picked the Stuttgart man out unmarked at the far post. Dōan then went close on the half-hour mark, firing just wide following good work from the lively Kubo. New Zealand’s first clear-cut chance arrived ten minutes before the break, but Wood blazed over the crossbar. Another good opportunity fell Japan’s way with thirteen minutes of normal time remaining, but Reo Hatate’s header came to nothing and New Zealand goalkeeper Woud then denied substitute Ayase Ueda with a superb save from point-blank range. After thirty minutes of extra-time failed to produce a winner, the game went to a shoot-out, in which Ueda, Ko Itakura, Yuta Nakayama and Yoshida all scored to send Japan through.

 

1/4 FINAL

STADIUM: 埼玉スタジアム2002 <Saitama Sutajiamu 2002> / Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama)

DATE: 31-07-2021 (19:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Chris Beath (AUS)

GOALS: 1-0 (Matheus Cunha 37’)

BOOKED: Antony (33’) / Akram (42’)

BRA

Brasil

Brazil - Egypt

مصر

EGY

1-0 (1-0)

BRAZIL

Santos

Dani Alves (c), Nino, Diego Carlos, Arana

Antony (Malcom 64’), Douglas Luiz, Matheus Cunha (Paulinho 54’), Bruno Guimarães, Claudinho (Reinier 64’)

Richarlison (Gabriel Menino 90+’)

COACH: André Jardine

EGYPT

El-Shenawi

El-Eraki (Ashour 62’), Galal, Hegazi, M. Hamdi, El-Fotouh

Taher (Maher 84’), Akram, A. Hamdi (Mansi 84’), R. Sobhi (c)

Rayyan (Mohsen 62’)

COACH: Shawqi Gharib

GAME SUMMARY

A goal by attacking midfielder Matheus Cunha against Egypt was enough for Brazil to qualify for the semifinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament. The Pharaohs’ well-organized defense managed to keep Brazil at bay in the opening minutes. When the South Americans, who enjoyed most of the possession, attempted to make forward runs, they met a well-drilled Egyptian backline.

 

Brazil had the first sight on goal in minute 6 when Diego Carlos Santos spotted Dani Alves on the flank and the São Paulo right-back floated a cross for Richarlison de Andrade, but Egypt’s goalkeeper Mohammed el-Shenawi tipped the ball over the bar. The African team registered their first shot on goal in the 13th minute after Brazil struggled to clear Karim el-Eraki’s cross, giving Akram Tawfik a chance to head just wide of Aderbar Santos’ far post. A good combination between Matheus Cunha and Richarlison almost gave Brazil an opener in the 29th minute, but El-Shenawi was alert to make a save from the latter’s deflected shot. Five minutes later, Richarlison worked his way from the left flank before passing the ball to Matheus Cunha, who was at the edge of the box and whose blocked cross landed on Douglas Luiz Soares’ path, but the Aston Villa midfielder could not find the back of the net from a promising position. Brazil finally broke the deadlock in the 37th from a counterattack. With Egyptian players caught off-guard, still pleading for a dismissed penalty call in the Brazilian area, Richarlison sped towards Egypt’s goal and passed the ball to Matheus Cunha, who managed to find the bottom corner with a low strike.

 

The Canarinha almost doubled its lead in the 48th minute when the lively Matheus Cunha found himself through on goal, but El-Shenawi was in top form to close in on his opponent and blocked the ball with his face. The African side made changes two minutes after the hour mark as Salah Mohsen and Emam Ashour replaced Ahmed Rayyan and El-Eraki. Two minutes later, Malcom Silva and Reinier Carvalho were brought on to replace Antony Matheus and Claudinho Rodrigues for Brazil. The substitutions looked to have re-energized Egypt, who enjoyed more possession a few minutes after and Mohsen almost grabbed an equalizer in the 70th minute.

 

1/4 FINAL

STADIUM: 横浜国際総合競技場 <Yokohama Kokusai Sōgō Kyōgi-jō> / Yokohama International Stadium (Yokohama)

DATE: 31-07-2021 (20:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Orel Grinfeld (ISR)

GOALS: 0-1 (Henry Martín 12’); 1-1 (Lee Dong-gyung 20’); 1-2 (Romo 30’); 1-3 (Córdova [p.] 39’); 2-3 (Lee Dong-gyung 51’); 2-4 (Henry Martín 54’); 2-5 (Córdova 63’); 2-6 (Eduardo Aguirre 84’); 3-6 (Hwang Ui-jo 90+’)

BOOKED: Jung Tae-wook (34’), Kang Yoon-sung (38’), Won Doo-jae (49’) / Vásquez (32’), Jorge Sánchez (76’), Jesús Alberto Angulo (90’)

SKR

한국

South Korea - Mexico

México

MEX

3-6 (1-3)

SOUTH KOREA

Song B.K.

Sul Y.W., Jung T.W. (c), Park J.S. (Kim J.W. 81’), Kang Y.S. (Um W.S. 46’ (Lee K.I. 73’))

Lee D.J., Kim J.G. (Won D.J. 46’), Lee D.G., Kim D.H. (Kwon C.H. 46’), Kim J.Y.

Hwang U.J.

COACH: Kim Hak-bum

MEXICO

Ochoa (c)

Loroña, Montes, Vásquez (Jesús Alberto Angulo 80’), Jorge Sánchez

Romo, Esquivel, Córdova (Beltrán 73’)

Antuna (Lainez 73’), Henry Martín (Eduardo Aguirre 78’), Vega (Jesús Angulo 78’)

COACH: Jimmy Lozano

GAME SUMMARY

Mexico put an offensive display to rout South Korea 6-3 in Yokohama and reach the semifinals of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament. Riding a brace apiece from Henry Martín and Sebastián Córdova, El Tri booked a clash with Brazil in Kashima for a place in the final, hoping to repeat the success of 2012.

 

South Korea controlled the run of play in the opening minutes, but it was Henry Martín who scored first in the 12th minute for Mexico. Although Lee Dong-gyung levelled the score eight minutes later, the rest of the first half was all Mexican. On the half-hour mark, Cruz Azul midfielder Luis Romo received a perfect pass without breaking his stride and struck it past Korean goalkeeper Song Bum-keun to put Mexico up by 2-1. Córdova converted a penalty in the 39th minute to make it 3-1 for El Tri at the break. South Korea coach Kim Hak-bum made three substitutions to start the second half with the hope to swing the pendulum back in his team’s favor, and the tactic seemed to have worked six minutes after the interval, when Lee Dong-gyung breathed life back into South Korea with his second goal of the match. But hopes of a comeback for the Asian Tigers were further dashed just three minutes later, when Henry Martín headed in his second goal off a free-kick taken by Córdova and restored a two-goal lead for Mexico. After being fed by Vladimir Loroña, Córdova picked up his own second goal in the 63rd minute to give Jimmy Lozano’s side a 5-2 cushion. Second-half sub Eduardo Aguirre effectively killed the game with an 84th-minute goal that made it 6-2 for Mexico. In injury time, Hwang Ui-jo scored a meaningless goal for South Korea.

 

1/2 FINAL

STADIUM: カシマサッカースタジアム <Kashima Sakkā Sutajiamu> / Kashima Soccer Stadium (Kashima)

DATE: 3-08-2021 (17:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Georgi Kabakov (BUL)

GOALS: -

BOOKED: Montes (40’), Lainez (74’), Loroña (76’), Romo (105’) / Diego Carlos (37’), Antony (64’), Bruno Guimarães (72’), Reinier (76’), Douglas Luiz (110’)

PK: 0-1 (Dani Alves); 0-1 (Eduardo Aguirre [saved]) / 0-2 (Martinelli); 0-2 (Vásquez [out]); 0-3 (Bruno Guimarães); 1-3 (Charly Rodríguez); 1-4 (Reinier)

MEX

México

Mexico - Brazil

Brasil

BRA

0-0 (0-0;0-0) (pk: 1-4)

MEXICO

Ochoa (c)

Loroña, Montes, Vásquez, Jesús Alberto Angulo (Mora 98’)

Romo, Esquivel (Charly Rodríguez 46’), Córdova (Jesús Angulo 78’)

Antuna (Lainez 62’), Henry Martín (Eduardo Aguirre 98’), Vega (Alvarado 90+’)

COACH: Jimmy Lozano

BRAZIL

Santos

Dani Alves (c), Nino, Diego Carlos, Arana

Antony (Malcom 91’), Douglas Luiz (Matheus Henrique 115’), Bruno Guimarães, Paulinho (Martinelli 67’)

Claudinho (Reinier 72’), Richarlison

COACH: André Jardine

GAME SUMMARY

Brazil qualified for the Olympic gold-medal match in Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament by beating Mexico 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out following a scoreless draw in Kashima. Reinier Carvalho converted the winning kick for the Canarinha, who will defend its gold medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics against Spain. Brazil goalkeeper Aderbar Santos stopped Mexico’s first penalty from Eduardo Aguirre and Johan Vasquez’s attempt then hit the post, giving Brazil a substantial advantage in the shoot-out that Reinier ratified in the fourth penalty. Up until then, the game had been evenly matched, with Brazil going closest when Richarlison de Andrade hit the post with a header in the 82nd minute. However, the stalemate would last until the end of extra-time, with Copa America finalists Brazil now having a second chance to fight for a trophy three weeks after losing the continental tournament final.

 

Brazil dominated the game for most of the first half, but the first opportunity came from the Mexicans. In minute 8, after a corner kick, Henry Martín headed to the right of Santos. Five minutes later, Brazil responded with a cross kick by left-back Guilherme Arana. At 22, veteran captain Dani Alves tested Memo Ochoa with a powerful free-kick. In minute 27, following a spell of Brazilian attacks, Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov pointed at the penalty spot when Douglas Luiz Soares was brought down by Joaquín Esquivel. However, after VAR consultation, the video officials reversed his decision and Kabakov cancelled the penalty. In the last stages of the first half, the Mexicans grew in the match and almost opened the score at 41 minutes after a counterattack, when Luis Romo’s shot inside the area was saved by Santos. Less than one minute into the second half, Henry Martín tested the Brazilian goalkeeper again with a long-distance, poisonous shot, but Santos was attentive. In minute 65, Antony Matheus shot to the right corner of Ochoa, but his effort lacked strength. The most dangerous chance came in the 82nd minute, when a header by striker Richarlison hit the right post. The deadlock couldn’t be broken in extra-time, where both teams were more conservative.

 

1/2 FINAL

STADIUM: 埼玉スタジアム2002 <Saitama Sutajiamu 2002> / Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama)

DATE: 3-08-2021 (20:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Kevin Ortega (PER)

GOALS: 0-1 (Asensio 115’)

BOOKED: Sakai (99’) / Óscar Gil (13’), Merino (51’), Zubimendi (90+’), Vallejo (110’), Asensio (115’), Rafa Mir (117’)

JAP

日本

Japan - Spain

España

SPA

0-1 (0-0;0-0)

JAPAN

Tani

Sakai, Yoshida (c), Itakura, Nakayama

Dōan (Maeda 91’), Endo, Kubo (Miyoshi 91’), Tanaka (Hashioka 118’), Hatate (Soma 66’)

Hayashi (Ueda 65’)

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Óscar Gil (Vallejo 46’), Eric García, Pau Torres, Cucurella (Miranda 106’)

Merino (c) (Soler 60’), Zubimendi (Moncayola 97’), Pedri (Asensio 83’)

Rafa Mir, Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo (Puado 60’)

COACH: Luis de la Fuente

GAME SUMMARY

A brilliant solo effort by Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio in the dying minutes of extra-time earned Spain a 1-0 victory against hosts Japan in the second semifinal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament and a ticket to the final against title holders Brazil. Japan were aiming to secure their first appearance in the final of the men’s Olympic competition, but couldn’t hold out in extra-time as Asensio struck with a fine curling shot in the 115th minute. The usual Spanish flair, seen in its quick short passing game, was largely missing as Japan employed pressing football to cramp their rivals for space.

 

Spain started with six players from their Euro 2020 squad (Unai Simón, Eric García, Pau Torres, Pedri González, Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo), but Japan also threw in their own core of highly-rated players who boast a wealth of international experience and ply their trade in Europe: captain Maya Yoshida (Sampdoria), who has over 100 caps for the senior Japanese national team, was joined in the starting 11 by VfB Stuttgart’s defensive midfielder Wataru Endo, PSV Eindhoven’s Ritsu Dōan and former Olympique de Marseille’s right-back Hiroki Sakai. Spain controlled the opening twenty minutes as Japan looked nervous, with a string of wayward passes thwarting their own attacking ambitions. After half an hour, Oyarzabal had a half chance with a half volley after Marc Cucurella crossed from the left flank and an outstretched Óscar Gil played the ball back across goal only for the Real Sociedad attacker to blaze over. Japan needed to get their star man Takefusa Kubo more involved, and the Real Madrid winger threatened just before the break with a mazing run which pulled away Spanish defenders, but after cutting back inside onto his favored left foot his cross was blocked for a corner.

 

After a scrappy first half that did not produce any good opportunity for either team, Spain saw some hope ten minutes into the second period when Peruvian referee Kevin Ortega pointed to the penalty spot after midfielder Mikel Merino went down under a challenge from Yoshida, who was booked, but VAR review reverted both his decisions as the replay confirmed that the Japanese captain had made a fair challenge. This livened up the contest as Spain doubled its effort in search of the goal while Japan employed a fine counterattacking game to challenge the opposition defense on multiple occasions. Japan goalkeeper Kosei Tani showed good reflexes in the 76th minute when he denied Rafa Mir from taking advantage of an opportunity at the Japanese goalmouth. Two minutes later, Kubo drove into the box with another menacing run, but shot straight at Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón, who could only parry it before the ball was cleared. Japan were under heavy pressure from Spain in the closing minutes, but substitute Yuki Soma offered some respite with some energetic breaks and he looked dangerous whenever he was in possession.

 

Kubo and Dōan, the most menacing powers in the Japanese attack, were both replaced for extra-time, but Japan were still able to create chances and their best fell to Daizen Maeda, who got himself between the two Spanish central defenders to head off target. The lack of sharpness in the attacking third continued to dog both sides in the additional period, which remained barren till the 115th minute, when substitute Asensio scored the winner by curling the ball through a crowd of Japanese defenders into the far corner of the net. Paradoxically, the U23 Spanish team showed more experience than the senior national team in Euro 2020 to freeze the game in the final minutes with constant possession of the ball in attacking positions, so the game died far from the Spanish area.

 

PLACES 3-4

STADIUM: 埼玉スタジアム2002 <Saitama Sutajiamu 2002> / Saitama Stadium 2002 (Saitama)

DATE: 6-08-2021 (18:00 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Bamlak Tessema (ETH)

GOALS: 1-0 (Córdova [p.] 13’); 2-0 (Vásquez 22’); 3-0 (Vega 58’); 3-1 (Mitoma 78’)

BOOKED: Vásquez (27’), Jorge Sánchez (42’), Ochoa (90+’) / Endo (19’), Ueda (81')

[Incidents: The men’s football consolation final, originally scheduled to kick-off at 8 p.m., was advanced two hours so as not to coincide with the women’s final, which in time was moved from a controversial 11 a.m. kick-off at Tokyo’s National Stadium (for an expected US broadcast) to 9 p.m. at Yokohama’s International Stadium.]

MEX

México

Mexico - Japan

日本

JAP

3-1 (2-0)

MEXICO

Ochoa (c)

Jorge Sánchez, Montes, Vásquez, Jesús Alberto Angulo

Charly Rodríguez (Esquivel 86’), Romo, Córdova

Lainez (Antuna 58’), Henry Martín (Eduardo Aguirre 86’), Vega (Alvarado 78’)

COACH: Jimmy Lozano

JAPAN

Tani

Sakai, Yoshida (c), Tomiyasu, Nakayama (Mitoma 63’)

Dōan, Endo (Miyoshi 81’), Kubo, Tanaka (Itakura 71’), Soma (Hatate 46’)

Hayashi (Ueda 63’)

COACH: Hajime Moriyasu

GAME SUMMARY

Mexico defeated Japan 3-1 in the bronze-medal game in Saitama, ending the host nation’s hope of a first Olympic medal in 53 years. Paradoxically, Japan’s only medal in Olympic men’s football came at the 1968 Games in Mexico City, where the Asians defeated the host nation for bronze. This time, the outcome was reversed. Only three days after both teams played 120 minutes in their respective semifinal losses, Japan languished against a sharper Mexico side, giving up its opening goal from the penalty spot and two more from set plays before Kaoru Mitoma’s scored a late consolation goal.

 

Japan had beaten Mexico in their second group game with an early two-goal assault, but this this time it was the team in green who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute from the penalty spot, when Sebastián Córdova was fouled from behind by midfielder Wataru Endo at the top of the area, close enough to the line to require a VAR review that eventually upheld referee Bamlak Tessema’s initial call. Córdova penalty sent goalkeeper Kosei Tani diving in the opposite direction. Japan struggled to react against a confident Mexican attacking formation, who easily created space, and it came as no surprise when El Tri doubled its lead in the 23rd minute after Pumas defender Johan Vásquez headed in Córdova’s free-kick past Tani.

 

The halftime break allowed Japan to reorganize somewhat, with Reo Hatate replacing Yuki Soma to start the second half. But despite some promising runs on goal, Mexico was by far the sharper of the two sides, scoring its third goal off a 58th-minute Córdoba corner kick duly heated in by Alexis Vega after losing his marker. Substitute midfielder Mitoma spared Japan some embarrassment when he slipped through the Mexican backline before steering his attempt past veteran goalkeeper Memo Ochoa in the 78th minute. But the hosts, still clearly fatigued from their defeat to Spain at the same venue, never seemed to have the heart for a comeback and wasted some late chances to add a second goal. When the final whistle blew, there were emotional scenes at Saitama Stadium, with Mexico celebrating wildly on the field after several Japanese players had collapsed to the ground in tears.

 

FINAL

STADIUM: 横浜国際総合競技場 <Yokohama Kokusai Sōgō Kyōgi-jō> / Yokohama International Stadium (Yokohama)

DATE: 7-08-2021 (20:30 h)

ATTENDANCE: -

REFEREE: Chris Beath (AUS)

GOALS: 1-0 (Matheus Cunha 45+’); 1-1 (Oyarzabal 61’); 2-1 (Malcom 108’)

BOOKED: Arana (20’), Richarlison (31’), Matheus Cunha (64’), Douglas Luiz (89’) / Eric García (26’), Bryan (105+’)

[Incidents: Richarlison missed a penalty shot (min. 38).]

BRA

Brasil

Brazil - Spain

España

SPA

2-1 (1-0;1-1)

BRAZIL

Santos

Dani Alves (c), Nino, Diego Carlos, Arana

Antony (Gabriel Menino 112’), Douglas Luiz, Bruno Guimarães, Claudinho (Reinier 106’)

Matheus Cunha (Malcom 91’), Richarlison (Paulinho 114’)

COACH: André Jardine

SPAIN

Unai Simón

Óscar Gil (Vallejo 91’), Eric García, Pau Torres, Cucurella (Miranda 91’)

Merino (c) (Soler 46’), Zubimendi (Moncayola 112’), Pedri

Asensio (Bryan 46’), Oyarzabal (Rafa Mir 104’), Dani Olmo

COACH: Luis de la Fuente

GAME SUMMARY

Brazil defeated Spain 2-1 after extra-time to win the Tokyo 2020 Olympic football tournament’s gold medal in Yokohama, after the game had finished 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes. Malcom Silva produced the winner in the 18th minute of the additional period to secure back-to-back gold for Brazil, who became the first nation to retain their Olympic crown since rivals Argentina won consecutive gold medals in 2004 and 2008. Matheus Cunha had opened the scoring for the Canarinha just before the break, at the end of a tense first half that came to life after 38 minutes, when Brazil were awarded a penalty after VAR review adjudged Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón to have fouled Matheus Cunha inside the box. Richarlison de Andrade stepped up to take the spot kick, but the Everton attacker blazed it over the crossbar. Mikel Oyarzabal fetched the equalizer for Spain after the hour mark to send the game into yet another extra-time in the Olympic tournament, where Brazil were the fittest of both teams and the speedy Malcom scored the winner for the Canarinha.

 

Brazil was the more enterprising side right from the onset and started probing the Spanish half with more frequency. Richarlison, the claimant for the top scorer’s spot in the tournament, was causing trouble for the Spanish defense at regular intervals. Despite creating chances, Brazil’s finishing left much to be desired. The game opened up for the South Americans in the 34th minute when Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simón put a harsh challenge on the Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha following a free-kick. After being adviced by VAR officials, Australian referee Chris Beath awarded a penalty to Brazil, but Richarlison shot over from the spot (paradinha included) to give Spain a reprieve. André Jardine’s side was finally rewarded for its efforts in stoppage time of the first half when Claudinho Rodrigues whipped a cross that was helped along by captain Dani Alves for Matheus Cunha, who brought down the looping ball and nicely placed it in the bottom corner of the net.

 

Brazil tried to build on its lead after the break and almost doubled it in the 51st minute. Dani Alves located Matheus Cunha again with a flick and the latter set up Richarlison inside the Spanish box. The Brazilian forward produced a powerful shot, but the ball deflected off Unai Simón, hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced away. Spain made Brazil rue that missed chance and equalized after 61 minutes, when substitute Carlos Soler set a fantastic cross from the right to the far end of the Brazilian box and Oyarzabal arrived from the left flank to produce a sliding volley that gave Brazilian goalkeeper Aderbar Santos no chance to save. Spain could have secured gold in the 88th minute, but the crossbar came in the way of substitute Bryan Gil’s nice attempt.

 

Brazil regained its momentum in extra-time and showed the right energy to put Spain on the back foot. The Europeans managed to put a good defense initially, but finally gave in to the grit and speed of substitute Malcom, who collected a diagonal pass from Antony, beat his marker Jesús Vallejo – who didn’t even try to foul or grab the speedy Zenit winger – and unleashed a powerful grounder that found the net after hitting Unai Simón’s leg.

 

 

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