Brazil vs Spain summary: score, goals, highlights, Olympics gold
Brazil 2-1 Spain (AET) | Olympics gold medal match
Gold and silver medal stats
It was a game of four halves, and Brazil came out on top. Here's a quick review of the statistics that helped define the match.
Another Golden Samba
An immediate reaction in South America:
THE GOLD CONTINUES IN BRAZIL! It was the group, dedication and talent of Brazilian football! The gold medal is ours once again and now we can celebrate! Thanks,#SeleçãoOlímpica ! You guys are amazing and have marked your names in history!
Peep, peep, peeeep! The final whistle blows
Final seconds now being played. Spain have the ball but there are a lot of yellow shirts in the way to where they want to be. A loose cross is flung in and easily cleared.
That could be that..
We'll have two minutes added on, as several players go down with cramp.
That second half performance from the Spanish lads was where they needed to win this final. That's when they were on top and had the swagger. In extra-time it has been much more laboured and they don't really look like finding a leveller.
In saying that, they're still trying...
Vallejo again caught out in this right-back position and is fortunate to get a goal kick out of the situation as Paulinho threatened.
Some rare attacking quality in extra-time from Spain, ending with a clever through ball from Pedri, which is just a little too far in front of Mir.
Paulinho ON for Richarlison who are now looking to just hold onto this lead.
Penalty scream from Spain
It's a loud cry from almost everyone in a red shirt, whether they saw the incident or not, but the ref is having none of it. Even if the strike did make contact with a Brazilian arm it would have been harsh.
Brazil change: Menino ON for Antony
Spain change: Moncayola ON for Zubimendi
Spain struggling to make anything happen and are worried by the pace of Malcom on the counter. More changes coming up for the final minutes.
GOAL!! Malcom put Brazil ahead
A diagonal ball from Antony, following that Spanish corner, gives Malcom a chance to beat Vallejo, which he does with relative ease.
He then strikes low and the deflection off Simon's stretched boot is not enough to take it away from goal.
Spain win a corner after some good play from Miranda. Lots of tired legs out there...but a rare footballing gold medal is at stake.
It's a poor corner and easily cleared.
Early foul by Miranda gives Brazil a chance to loft a ball forward. They do, but it's straight into the arms of Simon.
Fourth kick-off is taken!
Brazil make a change: Real Madrid loanee Reiner Jesus ON for 'Claude' (see below)
Peep. Switch around time.
Gil rightly booked for that foul (but he won't mind!)
A dangerous corner is swung into the Brazilan six-yard box but from it Malcom is sent sprinting away down the left wing.
As he turns on his fresh-leg after-burners the covering Gil knows that he's unlikely to keep up so makes sure he brings him down first.
Rafa Mir comes on for Oyarzabal. He's been an impact sub before.
Finally La Roja get to move forward, Soler up the right side, linking with Olmo and then Oyarzabal but the striker's one-two attempt is smothered out by a crowd of yellow shirts.
That may be his last contribution.
It's been all Brazil since we entered extra-time. Spain look tired.
The latest move sees Arana and Malcom combine on the left to good effect but the low cross is cleared away at the front post.
The two Brazilians press Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V a moment later but the defence remember their clearance lines.
Two chances fall Brazil's way in a matter of seconds. First Cunha has a go from distance and that effort sails high over the bar.
No sooner has the game restarted that Richarlison has a chance to control and strike from inside the area. He fails to control so the second element is moot.
Malcom again looks sharp, skipping past the covering defender and crossing, winning a corner for his side.
A second corner follows but Spain deal with the pressure well.
After Spain's claims for a free-kick on the edge of the Brazil area are waved away, the counter is on.
Malcom is the one who finally gets a shot away but finds the wrong side of Simon's upright. Close.
Oyarzabal almost onto a low cross from the right but he's carefully nudged out of a position in which he can finish it. Strong defending.
Spain changes: Miranda and Vallejo ON for Cucurella and Oscar Gil
Brazil change: Malcom ON for Cunha
Immediately Dani Alves is penalised for a foul on Gil (who's been really impressive). The experienced defender shouts back at the ref... it appears to have a different view on what just happened.
We're off again.
The players look ready...
Pedri's season goes on, and on
Rob Harris joins the list of people pointing out just how active young Pedri has been over the season, more than any other player in Europe.
Will Barça give him a few weeks off? It's not like they need all the creative players they can get. What?! Oh!
Peeep!! That's us heading to extra-time
Antony comes alive on the right, jinking back and forth to find space against the hard-working Gil. With some support Brazil finally get the ball into the mixer but Spain deal with the threat twice and clear.
That's likely to be that for the 90.
Three minutes to be added.
Luiz, not unsurprisingly, has his name taken.
Gil meets crossbar
Clang! It's another effort off the bar but this one was a stunning strike looking to nestle high in the net. The reverberations can still be felt as Brazil escape with minutes running out.
Crossbar for Spain
Was it a cross? Was it an audacious effort from wide?
It was totally a cross from Gil, but nonetheless almost embarrassed Santos as it curls and dips over him before bouncing off the bar.
Much better from Brazil in the last 10 minutes, certainly having more of the play in Spain's half and forcing a few corners. Still no real chances though from them and much of the current flow to the game suggests extra time.
Claudinho sends a corner straight out of play. From this point on he deserves to be called simply Claude! Very poor!
Talking of skills, Cunha shows some dribbling of his own, this time far from the danger zone, though. Squeezing between two red shirts it's only a foul that stops him from bursting free.
Pedri tries to wriggle his way out of a battle with three Brazilians and when he loses out is complaining to the ref.
The play continues, though, and Richarlison goes on a dribble into the Spanish box, almost beating three defenders but a handball is called as the ball bobbles up. Nice skills.
Guimaraes gives away a clumsy and unnecessary foul as the Brazilians up the darker side of their game. Aston Villa's Luiz also showing his menace/frustration a little too often.
Pedri is fine, well, apart from feeling a little aggrieved at the perceived lack of protection from the ref.
Pedri is down, and calling for a foul, but Brazil play on and almost create something from it.
The final pass falls just behind Richarlison though and Spain clear it out of play so that the Brazilian can get some attention.
Gil's trickery on the left of the Brazil area entices two defenders across to prevent the cross, and they do, just.
The Spanish players are popping the ball around with an extra zing, hoping to find that gap in behind or lack of concentration from their opponents. Brazil maintain a sense that they can hit on the break though.
This is nicely poised for the neutrals.
Brazil remember that they now need a goal and so go-to man Richarlison is sent scampering through the middle with a dangerous ball that split the defence. Simon is lightning off his line to sweep up.
Spain have got their swagger on at the moment and a neat exchange between Cucurella and Soler sees the latter have a hit from distance which Santos saves, then fumbles, then gathers.
We've had a stoppage in play and Cunha is shown a yellow for some niggle. Frustration showing from the samba boys who haven't really got going since the break.
GOAL!! Oyarzabal levels things up
What a hit from the Real Sociedad forward. On the volley from a cross on the right from Soler and Spain are level after a strong showing in this second half.
An extra congratulations to the net makers!
Penalty call for Spain
Oyarzabal crosses and the arms go up for handball. Nothing doing
Gil having fun out on the left. He jinks back and forth to get the better of Alves but the veteran full-back does well to block the cross at the expense of a corner.
The Brazilian legend walks away giving the youngster a little arm on the shoulder. Class.
Richarlison sprints away with the ball down the left hand flank but as he looks up he realises he's on his own.
Support does arrive but the movement is flat and Spain win it back.
Spain again with purpose about them - the substitutions appear to have made a difference - but even as Pedri collects inside the opposition penalty area he's unable to get anywhere near creating space for a shot.
This is a fascinating game though, and the skills on display are exceptional at times.
Richarlison-Simon-crossbar
What a moment there! A flowing, yet direct, move from the South Americans ends at the feet of the Everton man. He cuts back, leaving the defender for dead, and then picks his spot.
Simon gets a partial block on the shot which then deflects up and off the crossbar before being scrambled clear.
Tidy play from the Spaniards as they move through the midfield and forward. Pedri, who's been far too quiet today, rolls the ball to his left and Oyarzabal redirect the firm cross goalwards.
It looked a goal all day long but then hits Soler, who is flagged offside. Much better though.
Brazil immediately onto the front foot as they look to kill off this game quickly. An opportunity almost falls their way but Simon is alert and collects the loose ball.
We're off!
Spain change
Carlos Soler and Bryan Gil ON Merino and Asensio OFF
The players are starting to head out for the second half. It looks as though Spain have made a double switch as they look to get back into this.
Little rest for Torres
Colin Millar reminds us of the pretty decent Pau Torres has had over the past season, culminating in today's final.
Half-time thoughts
Brazil take the lead in this gold medal match on the stroke (literally) of half-time.
With the last kick before the break, Alves reached a ball he had no right to and that created the chance for Cunha to strike, which he did beautifully.
The rest of the 45 minutes could be described as two very evenly matched sides taking turns at trying to get the better of each other under a tight press all over the park.
Oh, and there was that Richarlison penalty miss that he'll hope he doesn't have to worry about!
Peeep! It's half-time
GOAL!! Cunha gives Brazil the lead
It's a lovely finish from near the penalty spot into the right hand side of the goal, but massive credit goes to Alves who raced forward to knock back a cross that looked as though it was going out.
That'll be the last action of the first half.
Richarlison does well to find space for a shot but his effort is blocked close to goal.
We'll have two minutes of added time.
Much better possession play from La Roja who cope well with Brazil's continued high press. As we expected, the flexible nature of the Spanish front players means they take turns at dropping into the holes.
Nice play between Asensio, Olmo and Cucurella ends with the Madrid man forcing a corner for Spain.
Olmo takes and, well, the less said the better as it goes straight out of play. Sunday league stuff, that!
Richarlison misses penalty
The striker has a huge stutter on the way up and then hoofs the ball way, way over the crossbar.
I think it landed in the fan-less Row Z! That's one moment that the Toffee will be chewing over later.
Penalty shout for Brazil
The referee has trotted off to look at the monitor after being told in his ear that a spot kick could be in order for that last clash.
And...it's a penalty!
Cunha is down after being whacked by Simon who came flying out to punch away a curling ball into the Spanish area.
There's a lull in play as the Brazilian is giving some treatment.
As soon as I say that - almost as if they're listening - the Spanish players come out as a unit, building through the midfield and searching out openings.
The play ends with a ball in from wide on the left by Cucurella, followed by a stinging shot from Asensio who collected it on the other side.
Santos does well to hold onto it as Oyarzabal was sniffing around any spills.
The last few minutes have seen Brazil take more control of this final, Arana looking threatening when he gets forward on the left and Antony on the right.
Spain haven't really been able to bring the play forward as they focus on stopping their opponents first.
Garcia gets his name added to the ref's notepad after going through the back of Richarlison. Not a dangerous one but he knew exactly what he was doing and can hardly complain.
Richarlison side netting
The Everton striker almost finishes off the best move of the match so far.
Patient build up on the left sparks into life as Richarlison steps ahead of his marker and a first time strike has some in the ground thinking it was in. Very close.
Nice play from the South Americans down the right sees Arana trying to cause Pau Torres some problems. It almost comes off but supporting cover for the Spaniards kills off the move.
Brilliant pressure from the Spanish attacking players manage to force the talented Brazilians into rushing another pass.
Arana this time tries a flick which runs out for a throw.
Arana with a naughty little foul and takes the honour of being the first gold medal match booking. Not something he'll add to his CV.
Douglas Luiz has Brazil's first chance, striking, under pressure, from inside the Spanish area.
Simon is down to his right quickly and throws a hand out to push it wide for a corner. The shot was made more difficult by a deflection.
Off the line
What a ball to the back post from Asensio's magical left foot, which finds Oyarzabal.
He chooses to knock it down to Olmo who is muscled out of the challenge right in front of goal but the ball bounces up and looks as it's going in before Carlos hooks it clear.
Closest we've come to a goal.
Both teams trying to find a rhythm...
Brazil go long again and Simon, as he's accustomed to doing, sprints out of his goal to clear.
The high bounce means Antony makes up the ground and the two collide as the keeper heads away. No one hurt though and we play on.
Decent ball in from the former Barça man but it's a Spanish head that gets it away from inside the six-yard area.
Cucurella gives away a free-kick on the right of his own area and Dani Alves has a chance to deliver. It's like a short corner...
Cunha finds space on the edge of the area and quickly pulls the trigger as red shirts descend on him. The gunslinger wasted no time but the space is so reduced that the block wins out.
Spain then move go for the more direct approach but the lofted pass runs on through.
Something clever, or fortunate, needed to break the press.
The tight press has seen possession being lost by both midfields who have been forced into a rushed pass which has gone out of play. No real pattern formed yet, other than Spain want to build a little slower than a more direct Brazil attack.
There's not a lot of space being allowed for either side to breath, closing down being the tactic employed in these early stages.
Brazil again win the ball back and go long but an offside flag quickly ends any hopes.
Ouchie! Oyarzabala and Santos clash on the edge of the Brazil penalty area and both are down potentially needing treatment.
As it turns out, both get out and are ready to continue, although they'll likely be nursing a bruise or two in the morning.
Spain's first period of possession is positive, a few neat passes and a shoulder drop to try and get round the back on the left.
A cluster of yellow shirts do really well to smother any threats and play moves back into the middle of the park.
Brazil get us going and after a couple of touches at the back the decision is to go long for Richarlison to run onto.
The Everton man gives a thumbs up to his compatriot but he was never getting to that overhit pass which runs through to Simon.
Peeeeep! The gold medal match is underway...
Right, the players take their places and we're about to hear that all-important whistle from Mr Beath.
Anthem time
The Brazilian's stand proud and most of them belt out the words along to the tune composed by Francisco Manuel da Silva in 1831.
Spain's players, as I'm sure you now know, don't have that chance, with no words forming the Marcha Real. Sense of pride just as strong though.
Nervous anyone?
The players are out onto the pitch as we get ever closer to kick-off. Will nerves play a part? Unlike many other competitions these players feature in, this one doesn't come around so often.
Man in the middle
Chris Beath, the A-League referee of the year, is the man in charge of proceedings today.
Aiding the 36-year-old whistleblower will be fellow Queenslander Anton Shchetinin and Victorian George Lakrindis, who have been appointed as the decider’s two assistant referees.
Beath has been on FIFA’s international referees list since 2011 and was in control of three matches at the 2019 Asian Cup.
He has also refereed the past two A-League grand finals.
Player to watch: Asensio
As I said earlier, Spain fought past Japan in the semi-final thanks to a goal late in extra-time from Marco Asensio. The Real Madrid man has always suggested that he had the talent to sparkle for both club and country but injury has been a factor in him not completely fulfilling that.
A gold medal for Spain could be the perfect catalyst for him to help Ancelotti in LaLiga.
A reminder that the Spaniards won Olympic gold at Barcelona 1992 and silver at Sydney 2000, losing on penalties to Cameroon in the final.
Alves leading by example
I mentioned Richarlison as one of the older players in this Brazilian team but another is arguably more important to the squad.
For a 38-year-old coming to the end of his career, the appeal of playing in empty stadiums in Japan's summer heat as an over-aged player in an Under-23 tournament is not an obvious one.
But those puzzled at why Dani Alves, who has had a career filled with trophies and titles, would want to feature in the eternally unappreciated Olympic football tournament will have found their answer in his performances during these Games.
Alves's leadership of the young Brazil team has been evident in every game, including in the semi-final shootout win over Mexico where he strode up to take the first penalty kick.
Today, the former Barcelona defender will find himself 90 minutes away from becoming captain of a gold medal winning team when his side face Spain in the final in Yokohama.
Alves the winner
Alves has won everywhere he has played -- six Spanish league titles and three Champions League wins with Barca, a Serie A title with Juventus and the French league twice with Paris St Germain.
Yet when it comes to representing his country, Alves has never managed to be part of a team which has won a major global competition.
The World Cup has evaded him and while he has enjoyed two triumphs in the Copa America, he clearly sees the Olympics as a way to complete his career with an international success for his country.
"It means a feeling of achieving a dream, every high performance athlete wants to be here," Alves said before the tournament when some questioned his decision to take part.
"Being here, being able to represent my people, at football, is an honour for me."
It is an admirable approach and one which reflects Brazil's respect for the Olympic football tournament - which they finally won five years ago on home turf in Rio.
Anyone who witnessed the performance and celebrations after their victory in the final over Germany at the Maracana Stadium will have been left with no doubts that while the Olympics will never be the World Cup there is real prestige in winning gold.
Players to watch: Richarlison
One of Brazil's over-age players, Everton forward Richarlison, has made a major impact in Japan with five goals, including a hat-trick in their opening win over Germany.
Will he be the main man on Spain's radar?
South America vs Europe
This is the fifth time that teams from the two continents have faced each other in the gold medal match.
As it stands, Europe have the edge after winning twice and drawing once, while the South Americans have won one.
Will Brazil level things up? We're around two hours away from finding out...or more if we're treated to extra-time.
Starting XI: Spain
Unai Simon; Oscar Gil, Garcia, Pau Torres, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri, Mikel Merino; Asensio, Dani Olmo, Oyarzabal
Starting XI: Brazil
Santos; Alves, Nino, D Carlos, Arana; Antony, Guimaraes, Luiz, Claudinho; Richarlison, Cunha
It looks as though the team news is coming in to us...
Brazil hoping to follow Argentina
Tevez, Messi, Agüero... there were some big names of the future involved back in 2004 and 2008 for Argentina winning back-to-back Olympic golds.
Can the samba boys follow in their footsteps?
Ceballos: dreaming of a golden birthday present
Spain midfielder Dani Ceballos said yesterday that he would miss his country's Olympic gold medal match against Brazil.
The Real Madrid midfielder, who has spent the past two seasons on loan at English Premier League club Arsenal, sprained his ankle in the country's first group game against Egypt.
The Spanish FA said he would remain with the group as it was hoped he would be fit for the knockout stages. However, he has ultimately lost the race against time.
"I've worked hard with this incredible medical team in order to get back playing in this tournament which I really wanted to play in, but it wasn't to be," he tweeted.
"Tomorrow I'll be helping the side in a different way. Let's go for gold."
How they got there: Spain
Spain only scored twice in their first three games in Japan. However, Luis de la Fuente's side scored five goals against Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals, with Rafa Mir registering a hat-trick.
Hosts Japan were the opponents for Spain in the semi-final and the young Spaniards needed the extra time to defeat the Asian team thanks to Marco Asensio's strike five minutes from the end.
Spain's Olympic campaign this year has been a successful one already having reached the final and guaranteed themselves at least a silver medal, considering since the nation's last medal in 2000.
How they go there: Brazil
Brazil topped Group D by two points after the first week of fixtures in Japan, recording two wins and one draw.
The South American squad faced Egypt in the quarter-final and secured their tickets for the next round thanks to a successful strike from Matheus Cunha.
The semi-final against Mexico ended as a goalless draw after extra time, despite a total of 10 shots on target between the two teams, but the Brazilians emerged victoriousafter winning the penalty shootout 4-1.
Brazil vs Spain live: welcome
Hello and welcome to what promises to be an absolutely classic Olympics gold medal final to the football competition. Two of the most attractive and skilful sets of players have reached the showpiece final with Brazil Under-23s looking to retain their title against Spain's equivalent side.
The Nissan Stadium stage is set in Yokohama, and the build-up on AS English start here. I hope you enjoy!