Spain’s men’s team are into the quarter-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympics, after winning their second game comfortably against the Dominican Republic. La Roja ran out 3-1 winners and now will play Egypt in their final match looking to confirm top spot.
The game started off with Spain applying early pressure, and despite dominating the ball, it was their pressing that gave them the lead. After the Dominican Republic tried to play out from the goalkeeper, Fermin Lopez pounced on a ball from the goalkeeper, and finished into the corner.
Their opponents stepped up though, and after winning a corner, Alvaro Montes de Oca headed home without hindrance just seven minutes before half-time. The Spanish response had to wait until the second half, but they were given a helping hand by Dominican captain Edison Azcona. He kicked out at Pau Cubarsi and received a red card.
Hola, París. Ya estamos aquí y vamos a por las medallas.
La selección masculina de fútbol ya está en cuartos de final tras vencer a la República Dominicana. #Paris2024 #ParisRTVE27J
El mejor resumen, aquí: https://t.co/MwBoTSX2Us pic.twitter.com/GoANBFO96o
— RTVE (@rtve) July 27, 2024
Cubarsi himself was booked in the incident, and will miss their final group game through suspension. Spain will only need a point to win the group though, after Alex Baena’s deflected shot went in just 10 minutes after half-time.
Wave after wave Spain attacks continued this time though, and when Fermin Lopez’s ball across the box found substitute Miguel Gutierrez at the back post, it was given on review after an initial offside call. Gutierrez had a major impact for Spain, having seen his shot go narrowly over after his introduction.
His presence will be one of the decisions for Santi Denia to make against Egypt, who got a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan, and lie two points behind La Roja. Meanwhile Spain’s women will also be hoping to confirm their spot in the next round against Nigeria, after opening their campaign with a win over Japan.
