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
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:
Tokyo Olympics: Djokovic completes quarter-final line-up
Novak Djokovic is through to the quarter-finals of the men’s tennis singles after cruising through his third-round opponent Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 6-1
Djokovic’s hopes of a first Olympic gold medal remain alive, as he continues his extraordinary season, and the quarter-final line-up is now complete.
- Novak Djokovic vs Kei Nishikori
- Alexander Zverev vs Jeremy Chardy
- Karen Khachanov vs Ugo Humbert
- Daniil Medvedev vs Pablo Carreño Busta
Gold Medal Match: Fiji vs New Zealand
This could be spectacular. Great Britain and Argentina have vacated the Tokyo Stadium pitch and made way for Fiji and New Zealand.
It is a famous sevens rivalry, and the pair meet in the final of the Olympic Sevens for the first time. New Zealand have been so, so much better than in Rio when a mismanaged squad missed out on the medals, while Fiji have looked supreme, particularly defensively, as they bid for back-to-back golds.
Heartbreak for Great Britain
It wasn’t to be for Tony Roques’ side. They struggled with the intensity of Argentina and were perhaps guilty of playing too impatiently at times, unable to win the territorial battle. Their best moments came through Ben Harris, scoring and assisting as GB scored twice, but it is disappointment, in the end.
Could that be the last time we see some of those players on an elite sevens pitch? After all they have been through, they finish fourth.
ARGENTINA WIN OLYMPIC RUGBY SEVENS BRONZE MEDAL!
A superb win for Argentina, who have lit up this tournament at Tokyo Stadium and produced a brilliant performance to seal a bronze medal. Harry Glover was dragged down on the left and a competitive ruck from Argentina meant GB had to put more bodies in, leaving Dan Bibby a little isolated as he tried to jink his way through in midfield.
Luciano Gonzalez lets out a colossal roar as the whistle blows. That’s a famous moment for a proud rugby nation, particularly after losing Gaston Revol in the quarter-final.
Great Britain 12-17 Argentina
Dan Bibby through the middle...hauled back! Great Britain arrive in support, but Argentina are over the top of the ball again! The referee whistles! Luciano Gonzalez has done it for the Argentines!
Tapped and thumped into touch as the hooter blares, and Argentina go wild. They are bronze medallists!
Great Britain 12-17 Argentina, 1 minute left
Magnificent from Argentina! Ben Harris is chopped down by replacement German Schultz and Lautaro Bazan Velez jackals brilliantly to win a penalty for holding on!
They scrum to waste more time...penalty to Great Britain! Last chance, tapped quickly...
TRY! Great Britain 12-17 Argentina (Ignacio Mendy, 2 and a half minutes left)
Superb from Ignacio Mendy! Another of Argentina’s young stars and another gold medallist from the 2018 Youth Olympics, Mendy burns Alex Davis and races clear. Smart work from Dan Norton, though - he forces Mendy to stay wide in scoring, making the conversion tougher, and Argentina’s drop-kick fails to the find the mark. That could be crucial, but Argentina lead with time ticking away.
TRY! Great Britain 12-12 Argentina, (Ollie Lindsay-Hague, 3 and a half minutes left)
Redemption for Lindsay-Hague! GB tap a penalty quickly and play to the right, into the hands of the hulking Ben Harris, who beats one and draws another defender before looping an offload up for Ollie Lindsay-Hague, who gleefully flops over near the right upright. Dan Bibby converts - level pegging!
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