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.
Brazil 0 - 0 Spain
6 mins: Neither team has got into the game yet. The battles are being fought in midfield but there’s no flow to possession. A few passes are strung together and then the ball is given away.
Matheus Cunha wins the ball high up the pitch with a good press and then storms towards the box. Richarlison makes a run off the ball into the area to distract Eric Garcia but the central defender holds his ground and nicks the ball off Cunha breaking down the attack.
Brazil 0 - 0 Spain
3 mins: Mikel Oyarzabal is almost played in behind. Pau Torres threads the ball through a gap in midfield as Oyarzabal makes a run to the front edge of the box. Brazil’s goalkeeper Santos reads the play and is quickly out of his box. He clears the ball and clatters into Oyarzabal winning a free kick.
Brazil 0 - 0 Spain
Kick off: Both teams are playing in their iconic kits as Brazil get the match underway. They’re looking to become only the fifth nation to ever win back-to-back gold medals. Can they do it?
The gold medals await
The teams head out onto the pitch. The national anthems are played. The teams are ready. The men’s football gold medal final is about to get underway.
Pedri happy to face Brazil
Kick off is just under 10 minutes away. The two teams are waiting in the tunnel. Brazil are the reigning Olympic champions but that isn’t worrying Spain.
Spain’s Pedri hopes to cause an upset today and claim a gold medal for his nation for the first time since 1992. He said:
It is the best rival you can meet in a final because their players have a lot of quality and for the viewers and ourselves, it will be the best. Both countries have amazing teams and it will be a very difficult match.”
How to watch the Olympic final
The men’s final at the Tokyo Olympics takes place today with Brazil facing Spain as they look to retain the gold medal they won five years ago.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 12:30pm kick off:
How to watch Brazil vs Spain men’s football final online and on TV today
Everything you need to know ahead of the gold medal match
Ones to watch; Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio came into Spain’s Olympic campaign after a quiet season with Real Madrid but he’s stepped up to the plate.
In a must win came against Australia, Asensio delivered a magic ball into Mikel Oyarzabal to set up the only goal of the game.
The 25-year-old then found his footing in the tournament. He’s been a nuisance in midfield, driving Spain up the pitch and finding pockets of space.
Yet his biggest contribution came in the semi-final.
A hard-fought match with Japan went into extra-time and with the minutes ticking by Asensio stepped up again with a superb curling effort that found the back of the net, knocked out the host nation and sent Spain into the final.
If Asensio can find something special like that today it could be the difference between a silver or gold medal.
Ones to watch: Richarlison
Brazil opened their account at Tokyo 2020 with a thumping victory over Germany where Everton’s Richarlison took the headlines.
He bagged a hat-trick and has continued to be a huge threat for Brazil throughout their campaign.
The 24-year-old got himself back on the scoresheet with a brace against Saudi Arabia and has been influential in attack setting up Matheus Cunha’s goal that saw Brazil progress into the semi-finals.
If Brazil are to defend their title, the form of their frontman could be the crucial component to upset Spain.
Brazil vs Spain - Who will win gold?
Of the two teams in the final Spain have the stronger squad. Pau Torres, Pedri, Dani Olmo and Marco Asensio all featured in Euro 2020 last month and they have unearthed a gem in 24-year-old Rafa Mir whose hat-trick against Ivory Coast sent Spain into the semi-finals.
However, Brazil will fancy their chances. Everton’s Richarlison has been in fine form, and he has been ably supported by Antony and Matheus Cunha. Brazil’s attacking prowess is their strength and if they can stem Spain’s possession of the ball they’ll be confident of securing victory.
This is going to be a close one and a game that could go all the way to penalties, if it doesn’t I think Brazil will edge it.
A year to remember for Spain’s Pedri
Spain’s teenage superstar, Pedri, is having a year to remember. When he steps out onto the pitch at the Yokohama International Stadium in under an hour’s time, he’ll be playing in his 73rd game of the season.
No one has played more games in European football this term and this is only Pedri’s first season as a professional.
It has been a season of remarkable hits for the 18-year-old. He made his first appearance for Barcelona, earned a spot in the starting XI alongside Lionel Messi and won the Copa del Rey.
Then he made his debut for the Spanish Under-21s before leaping into the senior team and reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2020 as well as being named the young player of the tournament.
Now he’s in Japan competing for Olympic gold. It’s enough of an emotional rollercoaster to derail some players but not Pedri. He’s taking it all in his stride and loving every minute.
“I’m not one to stop and think about it,” Pedri said. “But I try to enjoy every day that I’m living because it’s amazing.”
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