MATCH REPORT | Spain make it through to the quarter-finals at Paris 2024

When you think of football, you think of Brazil. They are concepts that go hand in hand and it is something you always have to keep in mind when facing the Samba Girls. However, regardless of reputation, nothing and nobody seems to find a way to get the better of this Spanish national team, who have now finished this opening phase of the Olympic tournament with three victories in as many matches.

This latest victory against Brazil was really hard work and built on patience, on rolling up their sleeves, getting their hands dirty and never giving in. At the Bordeaux Stadium, Montse Tomé's side showed once again that they have come to these Paris Games to achieve something special and win the triple crown they are chasing after having already celebrated success at the World Cup and the UEFA Nations League. 

The match had the typical tension of a final group game, especially for the South Americans, who are left relying on results elsewhere to go through to the quarter-finals. Spain won and did so with a goal from Athenea del Castillo and another superb strike from Alexia Putellas in the final minutes.

It was a match worthy of a competition of this stature, with intensity and one-on-one battles all over the pitch from the very first minute until the final whistle. Brazil were hit by the sending off of the legendary veteran Marta Vieira, who lost her temper in the first half and was sent off for a heavy tackle on Olga Carmona.

That forced Brazil to take a step back and allowed Spain to accumulate more and more possession, with which they were ever-patient and on the front foot. However, Monte Tomé’s side were aware that the scoreline favoured them with their previous results having already secured their ticket to the quarter-finals. The impetus of Montse Tomé's team paid off with Athenea's goal, which put them in the lead on the scoreboard and left the first place in Group C looking safe. In case there was any doubt, Alexia then again fired home to make it 2-0.