Brazil Vs Spain
Brazil Vs Spain Saturday 7 August, 2021 – 12:30 (BST)
2020 Men’s Olympics Final
Pick: Brazil Win
Odds: 13/8
Bookmaker: Betfair
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 5 July 2021)
Preview: International Stadium Yokahama will host the match which will decide who takes home the men’s Olympic Gold medal at these Tokyo 2020 games. Can Brazil successfully defend their title against Spain as both nations eye up their second ever Olympic men’s football Gold medal?
Olympic Men’s Final Betting at Betfair
Table of Contents
Brazil – Seleca retreated since the group stage?
The semi-final with Mexico promised goals, with both teams among only four to average more than a goal a game during the group stage. That it ended goalless after 120 gruelling minutes provided some indication as to the humid testing conditions at Kashima Stadium. Defending champions Brazil held their nerve in the ensuing shoot-out, though, setting up a fifth Olympics men’s football final.
This will be the nation’s fifth such final and third consecutively, having won one of the previous four. That was five years ago, however, Neymar opening the scoring in a 1-1 draw with Germany that the Selecao eventually won on penalties. Mexico did for them in the 2012 showpiece, a result they gained some semblance of redemption for with their tense semi-final victory this time around.
Since losing that 2012 showpiece, Brazil are unbeaten in 11 successive Olympics matches. An impressive run comprising no fewer than eight clean sheets. Three of those have come in this tournament, including both the quarter and semi-finals where the goals dried up. Having scored seven in topping Group D, five of those from Everton-based Richarlison, Brazil have since managed one effort in 210 minutes.
Spain – Solid but simply not ruthless enough?
Having seen the first semi-final between Brazil and Mexico go the distance, it seemed as though Spain and Japan weren’t prepared to buck the trend. After a goalless 90 minutes, extra-time was needed. And for much of that, it looked like there was not going to be a decisive moment – until, that is, Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio cut back onto his left foot and curled a sumptuous strike past a despairing Kosei Tani.
Few could begrudge Spain their victory last time, though. Luis de la Fuente’s men were the better team throughout regulation time, spurning a couple of presentable opportunities as they limited the host nation to a solitary attempt on target. Not that this was a first: La Roja have been astute defensively all tournament, banking three clean sheets and conceding more than once only in the quarter-finals.
As solid as they have been at the back, it is going forward where the Spanish continue to make life difficult for themselves. On just one occasion so far, in the thrilling 5-2 extra-time victory over Ivory Coast, has an attack boasting Barcelona’s prodigious talent Pedri, as well as fully fledged senior internationals Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Almo, clicked into gear. Scoring one or fewer in four of five matches.
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Brazil Vs Spain Betting Advice
Bookmakers cannot split them, with Brazil only marginal favourites to successfully retain their title as men’s Olympics champions. What they can agree on, however, is that this final in Yokohama is likely to be low on goal mouth action. Brazil scored seven times in the group phase but only once thereafter, while Spain have plundered no more than one goal in all but one of their five encounters thus far.
Brazil Vs Spain – Key Facts:
- The Brazilians are seeking to retain the title they won at Brazil 2016, in this their fifth Olympic men’s final. Meanwhile Spain are into their third final, and first since winning in Barcelona in 1992.
- Just five goals were conceded between these two sides over the course of ten tournament matches to date, with the pair recording three clean sheets apiece.
- However, two of Brazil‘s three victories so far were in matches which saw them concede. Richarlison is also aiming to finish as the tournament’s top scorer, currently on five.
Both teams have been exceptional defensively, too. Brazil allowing only two goals, both consolations in victories, and registering three clean sheets. Whereas this Spanish rearguard has been breached just three times so far, two of those in the quarter-final with Ivory Coast, recording three clean sheets as well. However, Brazil appear to have the edge in attack, and are therefore taken to defend their Olympic title.
Best Betting Odds – Brazil Vs Spain
Brazil – 13/8 (Betfair)
Draw – 9/5 (PaddyPower)
Spain – 21/20 (Bet365)
