Mikel Oyarzabal ends 21 years of hurt for Spain at the Olympics, defending champions Brazil are held by Ivory Coast and 10-man Germany secure late win over Saudi Arabia… all the latest from the men’s football at Tokyo 2020
- The Spanish are top of Group C after Mikel Oyarzabal’s winner against Australia
- Brazil’s Douglas Luiz was sent off just after just 13 minutes against Ivory Coast
- Ivorian midfielder Eboue Kouassi was also dismissed during the goalless draw
- Felix Uduokhai scored the winner for 10 man Germany after Amos Pieper’s red
Mikel Oyarzabal ended Spain‘s 21-year wait for a goal and a win in Olympic soccer by clinching a 1-0 victory over Australia on Sunday.
Oyarzabal headed in the winner in the 81st minute to send Spain to the top of Group C going into Wednesday’s match against Argentina.
It is the latest key goal for the 24-year-old Real Sociedad forward. He scored the winner in the delayed 2020 Copa del Rey final, which took place in April. He also netted the decisive penalty in the shootout win that secured Spain’s quarterfinal victory over Switzerland at the European Championship three weeks ago. Spain lost in the semi-finals to Italy.
Spain winger Mikel Oyarzabal celebrates after putting his side ahead against Australia
Spain, the 1992 Olympic champion, last won a match at the Olympics when they won the silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Games, they could only manage one draw and didn’t score a goal at the London Olympics in 2012.
Playing with 10 men for most of the game, Brazil held the Ivory Coast to a 0-0 draw on Sunday in their penultimate Group D fixture.
Brazil are the defending Olympic champion after winning on home soil at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. But the Brazilians were at a disadvantage early when Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz was sent off in the 13th minute.
Douglas Luiz cannot hide his disappointment after being sent off against the Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast midfielder Eboue Kouassi was sent off in the 79th. Both Luiz and Kouassi won’t be able to play in their teams’ final group matches.
The Brazilians beat Germany 4-2 in their Group D opener with Everton forward Richarlison scoring a hat trick. Ivory Coast midfielder Franck Kessie scored the winner in his team’s opening 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia.
Brazil captain Dani Alves, at 38, is the oldest player in the tournament, which features under-23 teams on the men’s side with coaches allowed to bring three older players.
Felix Uduokhai celebrates after scoring the winner for Germany against Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile in the other Group D fixture Germany beat Saudi Arabia 3-2, the Germans took the lead through Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Nadiem Amiri, however the Saudi Arabian’s drew level through Sami Al-Najei.
Germany re-took the lead shortly before half time thanks to Ragnar Ache’s strike, but Al-Najei’s second of the game restored parity.
The Germans were then reduced to 10 men after Amos Pieper brought down Al-Najei with the Al-Nassr midfielder through on goal.
However, Felix Uduokhai headed home after an inch perfect cross from Max Kruse to seal a vital victory for Stefan Kuntz’s side.
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