Tokyo 2020: Brazil defeats Mexico and qualifies for Olympics men’s soccer final

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Brazilian team has qualified for the men’s soccer final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Brazil defeated Mexico 4-1 in a penalty shootout after the match ended in a goalless 0-0 draw in regulation time and overtime.

Brazil will now try to win its second consecutive Olympic title. In men’s soccer, only Great Britain (1908 and 1912), Uruguay (1924 and 1928), Hungary (1964 and 1968), and Argentina (2004 and 2008) have achieved this feat.

In the later semifinal, Spain defeated host Japan 1-0 and will face Brazil in the final. The gold medal match will be played next Saturday at 8:30 AM (Brasília time) in Yokohama.

For the match against Mexico, coach André Jardine fielded Brazil in a 4-3-3 formation and replaced the injured Matheus Cunha with Paulinho. Mexico coach Jaime Lozano also went with a 4-3-3 formation. The Mexican team was attack-minded and made it difficult for the Brazilian team to get the ball out of the net.

Gradually, Brazil showed more penetrating power and forced Mexico to retreat. The Brazilian team created scoring chances through two free kicks by Guilherme Arana and Daniel Alves.

Mexico was dangerous at the end of the first half in the 41st minute with a great shot by Romo that was saved by Santos for a corner.

In the second period, the game was tied, with many mistakes and nervousness of both teams. Jardine tried to improve the movement in attack with the introduction of Gabriel Martinelli and Reinier. But the best chance came from two starters. In the 36th minute, Richarlison headed at the post after a Daniel Alves cross from the right. Brazil was unable to capitalize on the rebound.

In the second half, the game went to extra time. In extra time, Antony was replaced by Malcom. The match was extremely physical, with each team receiving five yellow cards for fouls.

Brazil had 56% possession throughout the game but was not very effective. The game was tied at midfield, and the teams hardly created any scoring chances. The goalless result was maintained.

In the penalty shootout, Brazil scored through Daniel Alves, Gabriel Martinelli, Bruno Guimarães, and Reinier. Mexico, on the other hand, converted Rodríguez’s free-kick. Aguirre (save by Santos) and Vásquez (hit the crossbar) missed for the Mexicans.

MEXICO

Ochoa; Loroña, César Montes, Johan Vásquez and Jesús Angulo (Adrian Mora, in 7/1st minute of extra time); Esquivel (Carlos Rodríguez, at halftime), Luis Romo and Córdova (Ricardo Angulo, in 32/2nd minute). Minute); Antuna (Diego Lainez, at 16/2nd Minute), Alexis Vega (Alvarado, at 46/2nd Minute) and Henry Martin (Eduardo Aguirre, at 7/1st Minute of Extra Time). Coach: Jaime Lozano

BRAZIL
Santos; Daniel Alves, Nino, Diego Carlos, and Guilherme Arana; Douglas Luiz (Matheus Henrique, in 9/2nd minute of extra time), Bruno Guimarães and Claudinho (Reinier, in 27/2nd minute); Antony (Malcom, between normal time and extra time), Paulinho (Gabriel Martinelli, in 21/2nd minute) and Richarlison. Head coach: André Jardine

Venue: Kashima Stadium, in Kashima (Japan)
Judge: Georgi Kabakov (Bulgaria)
Yellow cards: César Montes, Diego Lainez, Henry Martin, Loroña, Luis Romo (Mexico); Diego Carlos, Antony, Bruno Guimarães, Reinier, Douglas Luiz (Brazil)