Brazil U23 vs Germany U23 summary: score, goals, highlights, 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Brazil vs Germany: 2020 Tokyo Olympics - as it happened
Brazil 4-2 Germany: in summary
The dominance of the South Americans is clear from the stats but even more so from anyone who watched, or followed a minute-by-minute blog.
Brazil had 24 shots at goal compared with Germany's 7 and looked much more threatening with their 52% possession compared to the times when their opponents had the ball.
German acceptance
There wasn't much said on the social media account of the Germany team but there must be a fair degree of acceptance that Brazil were head and shoulders above their boys today.
It is, of course, only the first game, so let's see what they show us going forward.
A Rich-ly deserved match ball
The Everton striker could, and should, have scored more than three, in the first half alone.
But let's be fair to the lad. He can be very proud of his contribution, also creating chances for his teammates. (Stats courtesy of our friends at SofaScore)
Brazil 4-2 Germany: post-match musing
Well, what did you make of that?
Brazil were by far the superior team and being three up at the break underplayed their dominance.
That said, despite going down to 10 men, Germany took their rare opportunities in front of goal and clawed themselves to within a single strike of sharing the spoils, before a lovely Paulinho effort ended any hope as the game was close to an end.
Peep, peep, peeeeeep! The final whistle blows
GOAL!! This time Paulinho makes no mistake
What a beautiful curling effort into the far top corner after cutting inside the defender from the left. That should be that.
Paulinho has a chance but defender and keeper double-team smother him.
We'll be having another five minutes on top of the 90.
Douglas Luiz trundles up to the dead ball and...
...Müller just raises his arms and watches it fly high above his bar.
Brazil somehow have themselves in a position where they could end up not winning. Football, eh!?
Torunarigha the latest to get his name taken by the ref and this free-kick is every Brazilian's dream. A few meters outside the penalty area.
It's a yellow for Henrichs after an enthusiatic, let's say, tackle to break up a potential Brazilian attack.
Pretty harsh from where I'm sitting.
GOAL!! Ache with a perfectly executed header really does give the 10 Germans something to battle for in these final minutes.
Paulinho fires across a dangerous ball from the left and as the defender's stretched leg half deals with it, a Brazilian arm is judged to have got itself involved. Free kick.
Germany change |
Schlotterbeck comes on for Stach
As Brazil pop the ball around in the final third, Dani Alves makes a run from deep and is spotted by Carlos. The pass, however, is just too far in front of the former Barça star and drifts out of play.
More threatening play from Brazil almost comes to fruition, but again Germany escape.
Guimaraes is the one to have the final attempt from just outside the area but there's not enough dip to go with the curl.
Brazil change |
Antony and Richarlison OFF; Paulinho and Reinier ON
Germany change |
Amiri OFF; Teuchert ON
Antony collects on the right of the area and thwacks towards Müller's goal. Plenty of power behind it but it's some distance from worrying the stopper.
Some nice exchanges from Stefan Kuntz's side allow them to push across the half-way line and into opposing territory (something they've struggled to do of late).
Unfortunately they're unable to create anything meaningful from the move and it breaks down rather limply.
Kruse and Richter OFF
Ragnar Ache and Eduard Lowen ON
It's Malcom to take the corner but again it's well handled and Germany look to get some distance from their goal.
A couple of German changes coming up it would appear.
Claudinho, sorry Claude (see below), is leaving the pitch. Malcom on to replace him.
After a bit of a delay Alves plops the resultant free-kick into the danger area but the defence deal with it well, although now face a corner.
Arnold sent off
Even if the lifeline thrown to Germany was similar to a deflated rubber duck in the middle of the Atlantic, things have become even more difficult for them.
The Wolfsburg midfielder clashed knees and got up, in some discomfort himself, to see a second yellow, then red, card flashed in front of his face.
Antony, and a selection of his Brazilian teammates create havoc in the German penalty box.
Chance after chance appears but it's Müller who eventually gets control of the ball with his net being bothered.
Stach fouls and has name taken. Simple decision.
GOAL!!! Amiri somehow gets one back for the Germans
It's not a clean hit but the bounce appears to confuse Santos and the ball finds its way into the corner of the net.
I would say game on...but it really doesn't feel like it is.
Not often the words sclaff and Brazilian are used in the same sentence but this is the perfect time for it.
Claudinho should go by the name of Claude for a week after his latest effort, beautifully picked out by Cunha.
Another Brazilian chance, this time coming from some loose play in the middle of the park from their opponents.
Richarlison is quick onto it and the impressive Cunha fires goalwards as they link up. It's straight at Müller who does his job.
First attack of this half for the Samba boys, and it's a flowing move that should well have ended better for them.
A delicious back flick to Antony gives him the chance to shoot but a strong block saves the Germans.
It's another corner for the Germans. They have to make more of this one...
Amiri plays it short but it's then swung into the crowded area but a foul is called for the defence as bodies collide.
The corner is taken short and wasted but as Brazil get it clear, Richter is able to find space to let fly. The ball is still soaring well wide of the goal.
Immediately the Germans, dressed all in black, win themselves a corner.
The whistle blows and Germany get us back underway.
The players are heading out from the tunnel and hat-trick hero Richarlison has a spring in his step.
Could he be looking for some records today?
Mexico U23 4-1 France U23 summary: score, goals, highlights, 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Brazil have impressed us in this first half and another team that's started well is Mexico.
Earlier today they trounced a decent France side.
Here's how that game went down.
Richarlison's new teammates
While the Brazilian's been having a field day here, his club Everton have signed winger Demarai Gray from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year contract.
Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed but British media said Everton paid around 1.6 million pounds ($2.2 million) for Gray. Former England Under-21 international Gray started his career with Birmingham City in 2013 before moving to Leicester City three years later. He was part of Leicester's Premier League-winning team in the 2015-16 season. The 25-year-old left Leicester for Leverkusen in January this year and made 12 appearances for the German outfit in the 2020-21 season, scoring once.
'I'm delighted to be back in the Premier League at such a big club and I'm excited to play with the team and get to work,” Gray told evertontv from the club's pre-season training base in Florida. 'Speaking to the manager (Rafa Benitez) and (director of football) Marcel Brands, I had a really good feel for the Club and I feel this is a place where I can continue to develop.' Gray becomes new Everton boss Rafa Benitez's third signing following the arrival of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and winger Andros Townsend.
Brazil could be leading 6-0 at the break. Richarlison scored a hat-trick in the opening 30 minutes. Cunha missed a penalty right on half-time and had another couple of chances to extend the lead. Germany have been really poor and can't handle Cunha and Richarlison on the break.
HT: Brazil 3-0 Germany (Richarlison hat-trick)
Cunha is clear once again but sends his shot wide of Muller's left-hand post. Not a great couple of minutes for the striker, missing a penalty and a clear-cut chance.
We're into the final 60 seconds of the half.
Excellent save to deny the Brazilian from 12 yards.
Muller saves Cunha's penalty!
Dani Alves plays a one-two with Antony downs Brazil's right wing and earns a free-kick. Alves whips in the resulting free and it's a penalty for Brazil.
Amiri curls a great corner into the box. Cunha clears the danger with his head. Brazil's forward have height and are back helping out for every set-piece.
Stefan Kuntz will be plotting his half-time talk. It can't get much worse for Germany in the second half. There have been many 3-0 half-time leads over the years. Tottenham 3-0 Manchester United comes to mind. And we all know how that worked out...
Germany captain Max Arnold is booked for a foul on Richarlison.
If you're just joining, Richarlison has netted a hat-trick in the opening 30 minutes. Back in 2014, Germany were beating Brazil 5-0 after 29 minutes! It's not as good as 2014, but Brazil are well ahead here.
Richarlison shoots!
He goes for his fourth goal. Germany manage to block the Brazilian's strike.
Brazil 3-0 Germany
Richarlison has scored a hat-trick inside 30 minutes. This time Cunha picks him out down the left. He turns in on his right and curls a strike past Muller into the far corner. Germany have been awful; Richarlison has been absolutely ruthless.
Brazil are using two compact lines to soak up the German pressure and leaving the space in behind the European's defence to hit them on the break. Richarlison is running riot but there is still a long way to go.
Germany chance!
Amiri finds a pocket of space down the inside left channel. He turns in on his right foot but the effort is straight at Santos.
Brazil 2-0 Germany
Arana gets down the left and curls a beautiful left-footed cross onto Richarlison's head. The Everton forward buries his header past Muller.
Richarlison scores his and Brazil's second!
Cunha is fouled. Brazil earn another free-kick and lead 1-0. Germany have yet to create any chances of note.
It's almost 2 for Brazil!
Muller does extremely well to save from Richarlison after the forward rounded him. Muller manages to get down to block the shot and Germany clear. Brazil are a constant threat on the break.
Douglas Luiz fouls Amiri. Arnold sends the free-kick into the Brazilian wall. 1-0
Dani Alves shows his experience for Brazil, slowing down possession after a quick counter from Germany. It has been a lively start in Yokohama.
Goalscorer Richarlison is fouled in the centre circle. Brazil free-kick.
Brazil 1-0 Germany
Richarlison sees his first shot saved by Muller, the ball rebounds perfectly for the striker and he makes no mistake the second time around, slotting past the keeper to give Brazil the lead.
Brazil chance!
Brazil have the first real chance of the game. Cunha races through on a speedy counter but sees his effort stopped by Muller in the German goal.
Every player in the German squad plays in the Bundesliga. The side is captained by Arnold.
Antony pushes Raum and it's an early free for the Germans.
Germany are playing from right to left in their very smart all black kit.
Brazil are playing from left to right as we watch it, in their white socks, blue shorts and famous yellow shirt.
Brazil get us underway!
And now the German national anthem.
Time for the Brazil national anthem.
The teams make their way onto the pitch at the Nissan stadium in Yokohama.
2016 finalists
The finalists of the 2016 Olympic Games, Brazil and Germany go head-to-head in one of the most anticipated games of the tournament and the opening match in Group D.
Five years ago, the Brazilian squad, which has qualified for seven of the last nine Olympic Games, won the gold medal for the first time after defeating Germany on penalties at the Maracana stadium.
Kick-off is just 15 minutes away!
Two giants collide
Germany haven’t been able to make a lot of noise in the Olympic tournaments over the years. East Germany won the gold in 1976, while the West secured the bronze medal 12 years later in Seoul.
Current coach Stefan Kuntz, who has taken Germany to three successive Under-21 Euros, will try to guide the European squad to Olympic glory with a squad containing plenty of Bundesliga experience.
Earlier in the day, Mexico beat France comfortably in their Group A opener. Gignac scored France's only goal in their 4-1 defeat.
What time does Brazil vs Germany kick off?
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games soccer match between Brazil and Germany will kick off at the Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, on Thursday 22 July 2021 at 7:30 am EDT and 4:30 am PDT.
That’s 13:30 pm CEST and 12:30 pm UK time.
Why is the men's Olympic soccer tournament for under-23s?
The men’s soccer tournament at the Summer Olympics is restricted to under-23s as part of a drive to preserve the FIFA World Cup’s status as the men’s game’s premier international event.
Brazil U23 vs Germany U23: times, TV and how to watch online
All the information you need on how and where to watch Brazil U23 take on Germany U23 in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on Thursday, July 22.
Brazil U23 vs Germany U23 live: welcome
Hello and welcome to AS English's live coverage of this 2020 Tokyo Olympics Group D encounter between Brazil U23s and Germany U23s. Kick-off is at 13:30 CEST / 07:30 ET.