Spain vs Argentina LIVE: Tokyo 2020 result, final score and reaction from Olympics fixture

The final group stage match will determine which nations progress to the knockouts and aim for the gold medal

Tokyo 2020 round-up

Spain face Argentina in the men’s football at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, with both nations needing a positive result to ensure they continue their journey in Japan.

The Europeans have so far won and drawn, but despite dominating long stretches of their matches they have been unable to click in attack, scoring just once so far - they are top of the group heading into the final 90 minutes, and need just a draw to guarantee a top-two finish. Argentina have it slightly more difficult, after defeat to Australia earlier in the group stage. They did recover to beat Egypt, but the lay of the group means they have to win this match to go through - anything less and they will be out, regardless of the result from the other match.

The race for medals looks set to be a tight one and there have already been plenty of surprise results - but to even have a chance at success, a big performance from both sides is required here.

Follow the latest updates from Spain vs Argentina and all the big news at Tokyo 2020 below:

Spain vs Argentina

• Kick-off at 12pm BST
• Spain XI: Simon, O Gil, Garcia, P Torres, Cucurella, Zubimendi, Pedri, Merino, Olmo, Asensio, Oyarzabal
• Argentina XI: Ledesma; Herrera, N Perez, Medina, Bravo; Barco, Vera, Belmonte, Mac Allister; Urzi, Gaich
• Merino scores opening goal for Spain
• Belmonte equalises with late header

[28 July 2021 02:32 · Graeme Massie]

Tokyo 2020 Olympics schedule today: Wednesday preview, events and start times on day 5

Day five of Tokyo 2020 is underway with the Olympic’s still reeling from the withdrawal of American gymnast Simone Biles from the team competition, which she says was to look after her mental health.

The best gymnast in the world was hoping to win the first of a possible six gold medals but instead removed herself from the team after performing poorly on the vault. Biles later said that she was not mentally right for the event, in which Team USA took silver. “I have to focus on my mental health and not jeopardize my health and well-being,” she said.

Lawrence Ostlere in Tokyo has the details.

[28 July 2021 02:05 · Graeme Massie]

Australia win rowing gold in women’s fours

The Australian team held off the Dutch four to win the gold, with Ireland beating out Team GB for the bronze medal.

It was the first medal for the Irish at Tokyo 2020.

[28 July 2021 02:00 · Graeme Massie]

Judo star Martyna Trajdos defends coach after Olympics viewers stunned by ‘brutal’ bout prep

A German judoka has defended her coach after the man brutally shook and slapped her in a pre-competition ritual during the Tokyo Olympics.

German Olympian Martyna Trajdos, 32, was filmed marching out to her judo fight with coach Claudiu Pusa on Tuesday.

Danielle Zoellner has more.

[28 July 2021 01:50 · Graeme Massie]

France take gold medal in men’s double skulls

The team of Boucheron and Androdias beat their Dutch rivals by just 0.20 seconds, with China taking the bronze medal.

(AFP via Getty Images)

[28 July 2021 01:38 · Graeme Massie]

First gold of the day goes to Romania

The women’s pair of Bodnar and Radis took home the gold medal in an Olympic record time ahead of the teams from New Zealand and Holland.

It is the country’s first gold in the event since 1984.

(AFP via Getty Images)

[28 July 2021 01:23 · Graeme Massie]

Katie Ledecky set to go for gold twice

US swim great Katie Ledecky will shoot for gold again after her shock defeat earlier this week to Australian Ariarne Titmus in the 400m freestyle.

Ledecky goes in the day five final of the 200m freestyle, followed by the 1500m freestyle as she tries to rebound from her first ever Olympics defeat.

(Getty Images)

[28 July 2021 00:55 · Graeme Massie]

What country is TPE in the Olympics?

On Tuesday, the gold medal-winning weightlifter Kuo Hsing-Chin had more than just 140 kg dangling above her head: she had the better part of a century’s worth of political wrangling between China, Taiwan, and the rest of the world.

Her gold medal would not formally go to the country most know as Taiwan—a democracy of 23 million people with distinct borders, currency, and government—but rather to Chinese Taipei, abbreviated TPE, the Olympic name for the contested island off mainland China.

Josh Marcus has the story.

[27 July 2021 18:15 · Justin Vallejo]

Who’s winning the Olympics? Medal table so far at Tokyo 2020

Japan lead the medal table at the Tokyo Olympics at the end of day five of the Games.

The hosts have 13 gold medals so far, with teenager Daiki Hashimoto’s triumph in the men’s all-around gymnastics event on Wednesday putting them one clear of second-placed China.

The United States, meanwhile, trail the Chinese by just one gold, having claimed the Olympics’ first ever women’s 3x3 basketball title on Wednesday.

The Russian Olympic Committee, who were runners-up to the USA in that event and to Latvia in the men’s 3x3, are fourth in the standings with seven golds – one clear of Australia and two ahead of Great Britain.

Graeme Massie reports.

[27 July 2021 18:00 · Justin Vallejo]

Olympic commentators misgender first openly non-binary athlete

Alana Smith, the first openly non-binary athlete to compete at the Olympic Games, has been repeatedly misgendered by commentators while competing in the women’s skateboarding competition.

Smith was misgendered by callers from the BBC despite having their pronouns “they/them” written on their skateboard.

BBC Sport reporter Tim Warwood responded to say while he hadn’t made the misgendered comments, the commentary team would “of course apologise to Alana”.

Bevan Hurley reports.