Spain start Olympic dream with win (1-2)

The Olympic Team began their journey with a victory over Uzbekistan. The team, managed by Santi Denia, took on a tricky opponent, possibly the toughest they will face in the group, in an intense match that saw two penalties awarded and  Spain demonstrate their strength as a team.

It was a match of full-blooded challenges right from the off, with the Uzbek team, who have been preparing for these Olympic Games for months, making things difficult. Spain tried to take control of the ball, while Uzbekistan countered with their own style, though there were few chances for either side until the half-hour mark. The Spanish national team managed to take the lead then thanks to a brilliantly free-kick from out wide by Sergio Gómez, which Abel Ruiz flicked on at the near post for Marc Pubill to head in at the far post. It was the Catalan player's first goal in the national colours and Spain's first goal in Paris.

Just before half-time, when it seemed Spain would go into the break ahead, the referee went to the VAR monitor to review an incident involving Pau Cubarsí in the area, ultimately awarding a penalty to Uzbekistan. From the spot, Shomurodov scored the equaliser for his team with a low, precise shot that Arnau Tenas almost kept out.

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In the second half, Spain increased the tempo of their ball circulation with the intention of taking control of the match. Around the hour mark, Aimar Oroz was brought down by Fayzullaev in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. However, the Uzbek goalkeeper Nematov saved Sergio Gómez’s penalty with his leg. Moments after missing the penalty, it was Sergio Gómez himself who made it 2-1 to Spain. In a well-thought out move, Abel Ruiz crossed from the right to Juan Miranda, who spotted Gómez unmarked in the area and delivered a pass that was begging for Gómez to put away.

Despite Uzbekistan pressing until the very end of a long stoppage time due to VAR reviews, Spain defended well and showed the strength of a team that is increasingly becoming a family with a common goal as their dream. The next opponent will be the Dominican Republic on Saturday, 27th July at 15:00 (La 1).

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