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: Katie Ledecky 'thought of grandparents' after losing to Titmus
Team USA swimming star Katie Ledecky was dethroned by Australia’s Ariarne Titmus in the 200m freestyle today, only to come out stronger and win gold in the inaugural 1500m freestyle final a short while ago.
She said she was only thinking about her family after her shock defeat in the 200m final, which followed another loss in the 400m final on Tuesday.
"I’m so happy to go one-two with Erica [Sullivan, US teammate]. It’s the first women’s 1500m [at the Olympic Games] so I couldn’t have a better outcome than that. I’m so, so happy,” she said.
"After the 200 [in which she finished fifth and Ariarne Titmus won], I knew I had to turn the page very quickly and in the warm-down pool I was just thinking of my family. Each stroke I was thinking of my grandparents. They’re the toughest four people I know and that’s what helped me get through that,” she added.
"[Winning gold] means a lot. People maybe feel bad that I’m not winning everything, but I want people to be more concerned about other things in the world. People are truly suffering. I’m just proud to bring home a gold medal to Team USA.”
Simone Biles out of all-around event
Simone Biles withdrew from the individual all-around competition on Wednesday, a day after shocking the world by pulling out of the team all-around event in the Tokyo Olympics, USA Gymnastics said in a statement on Twitter on Wednesday.
The statement said Biles would be evaluated to see if she can take part in individual apparatus competitions still ahead. Her place in the all-around will be taken by Jade Carey.
Biles made the decision so she “can focus on her mental health,” USA Gymnastics said.
On Tuesday, the 24-year-old gymnast withdrew from her team event after a single vault. “After the performance I did I just didn’t want to go on,” said Biles, who picked up her sixth Olympic medal for being part of the U.S. squad that went on to place second behind Russia.
International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams had said earlier on Wednesday the IOC has “huge respect and support” for Biles.
Adams said mental health remained a big issue and that it was a matter the organisation had been working on for some time.
IOC President Thomas Bach was seen in deep conversation with Biles on the floor of the Ariake Gymnastics Centre on Tuesday before handing out medals.
Biles was to appear in all six gymnastics event finals and a sweep of the gold medals would have given her 10, making her the most accomplished woman Olympian in any sport.
Tokyo Olympics: Andy Murray and partner Joe Salisbury crash out of Tokyo 2020
British duo Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury have been knocked out in the men’s doubles tennis at the quarter-final stage.
Murray and Salisbury won their opening set but lost in the tiebreaker to the Croatian pair Marin Cilic and Ivan Dodig.
Murray had withdrawn from the men’s singles competition due to medical reasons to focus on doubles but now misses out on a third Olympic gold. Final score 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 10-7.
Andy Murray and Joe Salisbury knocked out of Olympic tennis doubles
The British pair had been in excellent form until the quarter-finals
Tokyo Olympics: Simone Biles pulls out of individual all-around final
Simone Biles has now pulled out of the individual all-around final, after she withdrew from the team event on Tuesday.
“After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games, in order to focus on her mental health,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
“Simone will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether or not to participate in next week’s individual event finals. Jade Carey, who had the ninth highest score in qualifications, will participate in her place in the all-around.”
Simone Biles withdraws from final individual all-around gymnastics
The American withdrew from the women’s gymnastics team final on Tuesday due to mental health concerns with Team USA claiming silver behind the ROC
Tokyo Olympics: Aly Raisman calls US gymnastics a ‘disaster’ over Simone Biles withdrawal
Fellow American gymnast Aly Raisman has hit out at USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic Committee, calling it a “disaster” for athletes after Simone Biles took a surprise exit from the team event to focus on her mental health.
“USA Gymnastics has been an absolute disaster for years and unfortunately not enough has changed for us to believe in a safer future, but I think this just really shows the lack of leadership [of] USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee,” Raisman said on CNN.
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Aly Raisman calls US gymnastics ‘a disaster’ after Simone Biles debacle
Biles pulled out from the team competition on Tuesday after receiving a low mark
Tokyo Olympics: Gold medallists recount tense moments during winning run
Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, who won her second gold medal with the women’s 200m freestyle, exclaimed she is “bloody exhausted” after beating Hong Kong’s tough competitor Siobhan Haughey.“
Bloody exhausted. That was a hell of a tough one. I knew Siobhan Haughey really wanted this. I could tell by the way that she swam yesterday morning, so I knew it would be tough to beat her,” she said.
“It’s not the time (1:53.50) I thought I could do this morning, but it’s the Olympics and there’s a lot of other things going on. So, it was just about winning here. I’m very happy.”
Hungarian swimmer Kristof Milak said his swimsuit tore 10 minutes before the race and he lost his focus. Despite the distraction, Milak not only clinched gold but set a new Olympic record in the men’s 200m butterfly by clocking at 1:51.25.
“My suit tore 10 minutes before the start of the race, just before entering the call room. At that moment I knew that the world record [1:50.73, held by himself] was gone, because I was totally off focus,” he said.“
When that happens to a swimmer, it could be the goggles, or suit, but just prior to a race, it can destroy your focus, absolutely. I got tense. It was on my face and it was no longer that easy to do what I wanted to do.”
Tokyo Olympics: India medal hopeful PV Sindhu through to round of 16
One of India’s best hopes for success at the Olympics and a household name, PV Sindhu cruised to the round of 16 on Wednesday after knocking out Cheung Ngan Yi of Hong Kong 2-0 in the women’s badminton singles.
The silver medallist in Rio, Sindhu is currently world number 7 and will now face Denmark’s world number 12 Mia Blichfeldt, who topped Group I.
Tokyo Olympics: Katie Ledecky 'thought of grandparents' after losing to Titmus
Team USA swimming star Katie Ledecky was dethroned by Australia’s Ariarne Titmus in the 200m freestyle today, only to come out stronger and win gold in the inaugural 1500m freestyle final a short while ago.
She said she was only thinking about her family after her shock defeat in the 200m final, which followed another loss in the 400m final on Tuesday.
“I’m so happy to go one-two with Erica [Sullivan, US teammate]. It’s the first women’s 1500m [at the Olympic Games] so I couldn’t have a better outcome than that. I’m so, so happy,” she said.
“After the 200 [in which she finished fifth and Ariarne Titmus won], I knew I had to turn the page very quickly and in the warm-down pool I was just thinking of my family. Each stroke I was thinking of my grandparents. They’re the toughest four people I know and that’s what helped me get through that,” she added.
“[Winning gold] means a lot. People maybe feel bad that I’m not winning everything, but I want people to be more concerned about other things in the world. People are truly suffering. I’m just proud to bring home a gold medal to Team USA.”
Team USA’s star gymnast Simone Biles dramatically exited in the middle of the team competition with a “medical issue” after just one rotation.
She later said she withdrew to protect her mental health. Her withdrawal has prompted speculation that Biles’ Games could be over.
So what are the chances of her continuing her Olympics journey?
Will Simone Biles compete in individual gymnastics events at Tokyo Olympics?
Is Simone Biles out of the Olympics 2021?
Tokyo Olympics: Simone Biles pulls out of individual all-around final
Simone Biles has now pulled out of the individual all-around final, after she withdrew from the team event on Tuesday.
“After further medical evaluation, Simone Biles has withdrawn from the final individual all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games, in order to focus on her mental health,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
“Simone will continue to be evaluated daily to determine whether or not to participate in next week’s individual event finals. Jade Carey, who had the ninth highest score in qualifications, will participate in her place in the all-around.”
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