Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt have both been eliminated in the quarter-finals of the men’s football event at the Tokyo Olympics.
Cote d’Ivoire lost 5-2 to Spain after extra-time while defending champions Brazil edged Egypt to progress into the semi-finals.
Spain, the last European side to win a men’s soccer gold in 1992, survived a scare against Ivory Coast after Rafa Mir came off the bench to fire a stunning hat-trick in the closing stages at Miyagi Stadium.
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 to force extra time.
Also Read: Scotland: Aribo, Balogun In Action As Rangers Thrash Livingston In Season Opener
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 ensured Spain’s first appearance in the semi-finals since claiming silver at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Brazil never hit top gear but did enough to beat Egypt 1-0, thanks to a first-half strike from youngster Matheus Cunha.
Up next for Brazil are 2012 gold medallists Mexico, who put on an attacking masterclass in a 6-3 rout of South Korea in Yokohama.
5 Comments
Eric Bailly with all his years of top class experience with Man U was very disastrous and calamitously gave the match to the Spaniards on a platter of Gold.
Bailly bundled in the opener from a corner but then calamitously played in Dani Olmo to equalise and he misjudged a header that was punished by Rafa Mir for Spain’s 93rd minute equaliser.
The centre-back then conceded the extra-time penalty with an inexplicable handball from a corner that allowed Spain to go 3-2 ahead
He was involved in all the first 3 goals scored by Spain, though he started well by giving Cote de’voire the 1st goal. If he was to do this while playing for Nigeria SE, am sure the Nigerian fans will never want to see him donning the Green-white-green jersey ever again lol
Some of these guys are over rated. When it comes to reality, they fail woefully. Iheanacho is good, but when it comes to taking Paneity for Club & country, he is zero over one hundred.
He scored a penalty today bro
It’s easy to put a lot of blame on CALAMITY BAILLY. Produced some jaw dropping defending during the encounter. A center back allowing the ball to bounce TWO TIMES inside his 6 yard box? Come on, Bailly!
But I actually extend the blame to the entire back four. Amateurish, naive defending gifted Spain most of their goals. Awful stuff.
Much better attempt by Egypt. They had too much respect for Brazil, unfortunately. If they had been more adventurous going forward, the game could have ended differently. Or not. But in my opinion, they were too conservative when they needed to be gung ho.
The Egypt goalie has done very well in these games. Won’t be surprised if his phone is already ringing off the hook. That dude has a very safe pair of hands.
That’s been the bane for most African teams at major tournaments. How can you score a goal at the death of 90 minutes and allow Spain to come back? Then drag the game to extra time?? My o my I was so pissed off!! But I think Ivory Coast did well overall. Some of these lads will be in Cameroon for sure. It’s just unfortunate that none of the African representatives at the Olympics have the quality to withstand top oppositions.