Brazil beat Spain in extra time to defend men’s football Olympic gold medal
SMA NEWS – YOKOHAMA
Brazil have successfully defended their Olympic men’s soccer gold medal after a 2-1 victory over Spain in extra time at International Stadium Yokohama on Saturday.
Matheus Cunha and Malcom goals confirmed the Selecao’s back-to-back victories while Mikel Oyarzabal had sent the contest beyond 90 minutes with his equalizer.
Richarlison missed a first half penalty and a chance to put the game out of sight inside of the regulation time, but Andre Jardine’s men did enough to earn their victory.
Cunha gave Brazil the lead just before half time when he punished some sloppy Spanish defending and it was a relief for tournament top scorer Richarlison (five) who failed to hit the target from the spot earlier in the first half.
Oyarzabal levelled for La Rojita with a superb second half volley and it was enough to force extra time as Luis de la Fuente’s side sought to end a 30-year wait for gold.
However, it was not to be as Malcom put the finishing touches on an incisive counter-attack which featured a brilliant Antony pass to secure the gold for the South Americans.
Brazil are now the second nation after Argentina to have won back-to-back Olympic gold medals after building on their 2016 success at these Tokyo Games and veteran captain Dani Alves adds the 44th title of his storied career.
