Brazil 2-1 Spain: 5 talking points as Brazilians defend their title | Olympics 2021

Brazil clinched their second Olympic goal medal in football
Brazil clinched their second Olympic goal medal in football

#3 Spain substitutions made an impact

Bryan Gil tracking the run of his opponent
Bryan Gil tracking the run of his opponent

After the break, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente opted to replace Marcos Ascenio and Mikel Merino with Bryan Gil and Carlos Soler respectively. Both players went on to make a positive impact and create more goalscoring chances.

In Soler's case, his effort paid off in the 61st minute when his superb cross down the right flank found Oyarzabal, who made no mistake in leveling things up for Spain.

As for Gil, the 20-year-old almost scored the winner in normal time, but his excellent shot ultimately hit the cross-bar. In extra time, the new Tottenham Hotspur winger also made a crucial interception to deny Brazil from scoring.

While it was not enough to win the game, Soler and Gil's presence kept Spain in the game and made things a lot tougher for Brazil.


#2 Malcom is Brazil's new hero

Malcom scored the winner against Spain
Malcom scored the winner against Spain

In the previous Olympics, Neymar was Brazil's hero as they beat Germany 5-4 on penalties. Five years on, Malcom is now the new hero for his country after defeating Spain.

Judging by how the game was going, it looked likely that both sides would be heading into penalties to determine the winner. Malcom, who was introduced before the start of extra time, came on to score and put the game beyond Spain's reach.

In his last five appearances for the squad, Malcom had not scored a single goal, but he rose to the occasion when his team needed something special.

It is also worth mentioning that at one point in time, the 24-year-old was not even expected to take part in the Olympics because Zenit Saint Petersburg had forbidden him from doing so.

In an unexpected turn of events, a hamstring injury forced Douglas Augusto to withdraw from the Brazil squad, and the Russian club finally allowed Malcom to represent his country in the games. What a memorable goal it must have been for the Brazilian forward!


#1 Dani Alves adds Olympic Gold Medal to his trophy cabinet

Dani Alves successfully helped Brazil retain their Olympic title
Dani Alves successfully helped Brazil retain their Olympic title

Regardless of whether it is Copa America, La Liga or the UEFA Champions League, you name it, Dani Alves has won it. In fact, prior to the Olympics, the veteran defender was just missing a World Cup trophy and an Olympic medal. Besides those two, he has won almost every other trophy and title that is available to him.

With this victory against Spain, the gold medal will be added to Alves' long list of accolades and cement his reputation as one of the best footballers in the world. It was amazing to see that even at 38, Alves was able to play every minute of Brazil's campaign in the Olympics and inspire the rest of his younger teammates.

Before the match, the captain said:

"It means a feeling of achieving a dream, every high performance athlete wants to be here. Being here, being able to represent my people, at football, is an honour for me."

Having fulfilled his dream of playing and winning a medal in the Olympics, Alves will soon return to Sao Paulo, where he currently plays after leaving Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.

Quick Links