Spain are just one victory away from winning the nation’s second gold medal at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament. Hosts France are standing in their way of glory as they aim to emulate the La Roja side which memorably triumphed at Barcelona 1992. Here, FIFA reflects on Spain’s journey to Friday’s Paris final.
Group stage
Group A | Matchday 1 | Uzbekistan 1-2 Spain
Uzbekistan goal: Shomurodov (45+3)
Spain goals: Pubill (28), Gomez (62)
Spain were made to work hard for their opening-day win over debutants Uzbekistan. Marc Pubill gave them the lead, only for Eldor Shomurodov to level from the penalty spot. Spain soon found their groove again, though, and while Sergio Gomez’s second-half spot-kick was saved, he was on hand two minutes later to rattle home the winner.
Check out the matchday 1 round-up
Group A | Matchday 2 | Dominican Republic 1-3 Spain
Dominican Republic goal: Montes De Oca (38)
Spain goals: Lopez (24), Baena (56), Gutierrez (70)
A comfortable win over Dominican Republic sealed Spain’s place in the knockouts with a game to spare. Fermin Lopez gave them the lead midway through the first half, but the Caribbean side hit back when Angel Montes De Oca headed in from Edison Azcona’s corner. Azcona was later sent off, however, and Spain then took full control, with strikes from Alex Baena and Miguel Gutierrez securing maximum points.
EURO champions Baena and Lopez eyeing dream double
Check out the matchday 2 round-up
Group A | Matchday 3 | Spain 1-2 Egypt
Egypt goal: Adel (42, 62)
Spain goals: Omorodion (90)
La Roja suffered a shock defeat to Egypt in their final group-stage game. The African nation hit the front just before the break through Ibrahim Adel’s excellent finish from the edge of the area. He was at it again just after the hour mark, dinking home to double Egypt’s lead. Samu Omorodion got one back for Spain in the dying moments, but it was too little, too late.
Check out the matchday 3 round-up
Knockout phase
Quarter-final | Japan 0-3 Spain
Spain goals: Lopez (11, 73), Ruiz (86)
Two sensational strikes from Fermin Lopez helped Spain earn an emphatic victory over Japan. First, he rifled home a left-footed laser to put La Roja in front early on. Japan regrouped but that man Lopez took they game away from them with another scorching effort – this time with his right foot. Captain Abel Ruiz then rounded off the win with a close-range effort.
Check out the quarter-final round-up
Semi-final | Morocco 1-2 Spain
Morocco goal: Rahimi pen (37)
Spain goals: Lopez (65), Sanchez (85)
Spain overcame an excellent Morocco side and a partisan Marseille crowd to book their spot in Friday’s final. The Atlas Lions drew first blood on 37 minutes through Soufiane Rahimi’s penalty, before the outstanding Fermin Lopez levelled, working space for a shot before sending an accurate finish into the bottom corner. Spain then struck the killer blow five minutes from time, Juanlu Sanchez arrowing home a low drive to keep their gold medal dreams alive.
