Rafa Mir's hat-trick secured Spain a 5-2 victory over Ivory Coast in extra time; Spain will face hosts Japan after their shootout win over New Zealand; Brazil progress to face Mexico in other semi-final
Saturday 31 July 2021 18:01, UK
Spain ended a 21-year wait to reach the men's Olympic football semi-finals as substitute Rafa Mir scored a hat-trick to secure a 5-2 victory over Ivory Coast in extra time on Saturday.
Winger Max Gradel appeared to have secured Ivory Coast's place in the final four when he made it 2-1 with a stoppage time strike, only for Mir to score almost immediately at the other end and force extra time.
Ivory Coast's fate was sealed when defender Eric Bailly, who scored their opening goal inside 10 minutes, turned from hero to villain as he conceded a penalty with a bizarre handball inside the box.
Mikel Oyarzabal slotted the ball home from the spot in the 98th minute before Mir added two more goals past an exhausted Ivory Coast defence to put the result beyond doubt.
Victory ensures Spain return to the semi-finals for the first time since claiming silver at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Spain, the last European team to win a men's football Olympic gold in 1992, will face Japan after the hosts beat New Zealand 4-2 on penalties following a 0-0 draw.
After a goalless 120 minutes at the Ibaraki Kashima Stadium, New Zealand full back Liberato Cacace's penalty was saved by Kosei Tani and midfielder Clayton Lewis blasted his spot-kick over the bar.
Captain Maya Yoshida made it four out of four from the spot as Japan booked a place in the Olympic semi-finals for the first time since the London 2012 Games.
Japan are the only team to maintain a perfect record in the group stage and are now just one win away from securing a first medal in men's soccer since claiming bronze at the 1968 Games.
Defending champions Brazil never hit top gear but did enough to beat Egypt 1-0, thanks to a first-half strike from youngster Matheus Cunha.
The goal was set up by Richarlison, who has been allowed by Premier League club Everton to do double-duty in the off season, having already been in the side that lost to Argentina in the Copa America final three weeks ago.
Egypt weren't allowed to call on players from the Premier League, particularly Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah as one of the three players over the age of 24 permitted in the men's competition.
For Brazil, standing in the way of reaching another final on Tuesday is Mexico, who beat South Korea 6-3 with the help of a double from Henry Martn.
Tuesday August 3
Semi-final 1: Brazil vs Mexico - Kick-off 9am (Kashima Stadium, Kashima)
Semi-final 2: Japan vs Spain - Kick-off 12pm (Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama)
