Brazil vs Spain LIVE: Tokyo 2020 men’s football final result, score and reaction today
The gold medal match took place at the International Stadium Yokohama
Brazil retained their Olympic football title with substitute Malcom scoring an extra-time winner in a 2-1 victory over Spain in Saturday’s men’s gold medal game.
After the game ended 1-1 following normal time, Malcom raced onto a diagonal ball from Antony and got the better of the hesitant Jesus Vallejo before driving the winner into the far corner to clinch gold for Brazil after their Rio 2016 triumph.
Brazil forward Richarlison had missed a 39th-minute penalty before the South Americans grabbed the lead on the stroke of half-time when a deep Claudinho cross was hooked back across the area by Dani Alves and Cunha brought the ball down to slot home.
Spain threatened little but got on level terms in the 61st minute when substitute Carlos Soler broke down the right and whipped a cross to the back post where Mikel Oyarzabal connected with a sweet left-foot volley that whistled past Santos.
The Spaniards hit the woodwork twice in the final five minutes of normal time before Malcom grabbed the glory for Brazil in the second period of extra time.
Relive the action below.
Route to the final
Brazil are hoping to win back-to-back gold medals in the Men’s Football after they reached the final of Tokyo 2020.
The 2016 Olympic champions have had a decent tournament so far with victories over Germany and Saudi Arabia in Group D, along with a 0-0 draw against Ivory Coast, enough to send them into the knockout stages.
Next came Egypt in the quarter-final and Brazil cruised to a 1-0 victory to put them within reach of a medal.
Mexico were tougher opponents and they held Brazil to a goalless draw over 120 minutes before the reigning champions defeated them 4-1 on penalties to reach the final.
There they’ll face Spain who have had a rockier run but may be peaking at the right time.
Spain struggled for wins in Group C, beating only Australia, but they held Egypt and Argentina to draws to top the group and reach the quarter-finals.
In the quarters they needed extra time to see off Ivory Coast but eventually dominated with a 5-2 win.
A tough contest against hosts Japan followed in the semi-finals with extra-time called for once again before Spain broke the deadlock and won 1-0.
This sets up what should be a fantastic Olympic final but who will take the gold medals home?
Brazil and Spain go for gold
Brazil and Spain will fight it out for the gold medal in the Men’s football final at Tokyo 2020. The gold medal final kicks off at 12:30pm and will be played at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.
Brazil have made it to their third consecutive Olympic final and are hoping to emulate their victory from Rio 2016 when they defeated Germany in the final.
Spain meanwhile are attempting to win gold for the first time since the 1992 Olympics when they were held in Barcelona.
Team news - Brazil vs Spain
Brazil XI: Santos; Alves, Nino, D Carlos, Arana; Antony, Guimaraes, Luiz, Claudinho; Richarlison, Cunha
Spain XI: Simon; Gil, Torres, Garcia, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri, Merino; Asensio, Oyarzabal, Olmo
Brazil and Spain squads
Brazil squad: Brenno, Lucao, Santos, Nino, Ricardo Graca, Guilherme Arana, Gabriel Menino, Dani Alves, Diego Carlos*, Abner, Bruno Fuchs, Matheus Henrique, Bruno Guimaraes, Douglas Luiz, Claudinho, Reinier, Gabriel Martinelli, Paulinho, Richarlison, Matheus Cunha, Antony, Malcom.
Spain squad: Alvaro Fernandez, Unai Simon, Eric Garcia, Juan Miranda, Oscar Mingueza, Oscar Gil, Pau Torres, Jesus Vallejo, Pedri Gonzalez, Bryan Gil, Martin Zubimendi, Marc Cucurella, Jon Moncayola, Dani Olmo, Carlos Soler, Dani Ceballos, Mikel Merino, Marco Asensio*, Javier Puado, Rafa Mir, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ivan Villar.
Brazil vs Spain prediction
Spain have controlled games but Brazil have the attacking advantage. If they can repeatedly counter the Europeans and stay solid at the back, their superior cutting edge will win the gold. Brazil 2-1 Spain.
Brazil vs Spain predicted line-ups
Brazil: Santos; Alves, D Carlos, Nino, Arana; Guimaraes, Luiz, Claudinho; Richarlison, Cunha, Antony
Spain: Simon; Gil, Torres, Garcia, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri, Merino; Asensio, Oyarzabal, Olmo
Brazil vs Spain team news
No injury worries or suspensions for either side likely mean they’ll go with the most settled and used 11.
For Brazil, that’s Richarlison supported by the likes of Antony and Matheus Cunha, while Spain will leave Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio in support of Mikel Oyarzabal - leaving Rafa Mir to perhaps produce heroics off the bench once more.
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