Spain to face Brazil in men’s Olympic football final after Asensio sinks Japan

Spain will take on Brazil for Olympic gold in the men’s football final on Saturday, after Marco Asensio’s extra-time winner ended the hopes of the hosts, Japan.

After a cagey first half in Saitama, Spain were awarded a penalty after Mikel Merino went down under a challenge from Maya Yoshida. The decision was overturned correctly by VAR, but the incident sparked the game into life.

The Japan goalkeeper Kosei Tani did well to race out quickly and deny Rafa Mir, while at the other end Takefusa Kubo’s blast at the near post was parried by Unai Simón. Neither side was able to break through until Asensio struck in the second half of extra time.

The Real Madrid forward picked the ball up from Mikel Oyarzabal on the right and curled the ball beyond Tani into the far corner. Japan poured forward in search of an equaliser but Spain held on to take another step towards their first gold medal in the event since 1992.

source:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/03/olympics-football-mens-semi-final-spain-japan-brazil-mexico