MATCH REPORT | Victory and into the quarter-finals (1-3)

Santi Denia made one change to the eleven that started the opening match in Paris against Uzbekistan. The Spanish team controlled the game at all times, driving their opponents deeper and deeper into their own area and with constant pressure on the ball leading to quick recoveries.

With the pressure, the chances started to come, especially from down the right flank. In the 12th minute, a cross from the right by Miranda failed to find a team-mate and, shortly afterwards, Sergio Gómez put in a ball that Abel Ruiz almost finished off. All that was missing was the goal and it came in the 24th minute: Fermín López took advantage of a mistake by the opposition goalkeeper stemming from permanent Spanish pressure and beating the Dominican goalkeeper.

The pattern of play did not change, but the scoreboard did. The Dominican Republic equalised in the 38th minute with the only chance they had had in the game after a corner kick was headed into the back of the net by Ángel Montes de Oca.

On the stroke of half-time, the Dominican Republic went a man down after Edison Azcona was sent off for violent conduct against Pau Cubarsí. The score was level at one each at half-time.

The second half was one-way action from the Spanish team, who circulated the ball with speed in search of gaps in what was a tight defence. Fermín had the first chance of the second half after Miranda's cross from the left.

Spain's second goal came in the 55th minute, Álex Baena's shot from outside the area deflected in off an opponent. The third goal was one of much VAR tension, good work from Miguel Gutiérrez, who could not have had a better present on his 23rd birthday than to make his debut in the Olympic Tournament and with a goal to boot. A cross from the right was tapped in at the far post and was initially disallowed for offside by the UAE referee, but after a few minutes of review, the goal was given.

A fourth nearly came off the boots of Abel Ruiz and Turrientes, but the scoreline would not change again.Two victories from two matches at the Olympic Tournament, something that Spain have achieved for the first time since Barcelona ‘92 and the result put the Olympic team into quarter-finals at Paris 2024.

Next Tuesday 30 July, Santi Denia's team will finish off the group stage against Egypt in Bordeaux (15:00 on RTVE and Eurosport).