Brazil vs Mexico Semi-Final Olympic Games LIVE Football Score 3 Aug 2021

The men’s Olympic soccer semifinals are now set with Spain, Brazil, and Mexico the three teams left alongside the home nation Japan in the hunt for the gold medal.

Tikyo 2020 men’s semi-final: Japan v Spain

Olympic hosts Japan will have the chance to guarantee a medal on home soil if they can get past the Spaniards.

But free-flowing Spain took their attack to the next level in the quarter-final, and will be looking to maintain momentum in their semi-final on Tuesday (3rd August).

These two sides last met in mid-July in an Olympic warm-up game, and if the 1-1 score was an indicator as to how this semi-final will unfold, Japan may have to brace themselves for another dramatic penalty shootout.

Japan

The hosts quarter-final tie against New Zealand ended with penalties.

Neither side could break the deadlock in the first 90, or an extra 30, and so their Olympic journey was decided in a shootout.

With a 4-2 win on spot kicks, Japan kept their dream alive.

It was captain YOSHIDA Maya who scored the winning penalty, fitting for the defender who has led from the back throughout the competition, and has been a large part of a defence that have conceded just the one goal so far in their home Games.

But Spain, and their dynamic attack, provide a different kind of challenge for Japan, who will need to ensure they’re taking their chances up top as well as keeping out the Spaniards at the back.

Spain

The Spanish side were at the heart of an instant Olympic football classic when they faced Côte d’Ivoire in the last eight.

Each team scored in injury time at the end of the 90 minutes, as the match ended 2-2, before Spain gave the Africans an extra-time thumping to secure a 5-2 win and progress through to the semis.

Rafa Mir was the hero off the bench. He scored a hat trick to help Spain on their way.

The Ivorians showcased the Spanish weaknesses at the back, with a goal from a set piece and one following a failure to be closed down quickly enough, showing where Japan could get some success in the last four.

While those extra 30 minutes showcased free flowing football with goals, they’ll have be on form against the Japanese defence who have only conceded one goal so far.

Tokyo 2020 men’s semi-final: Mexico v Brazil

The second semi-final of the men’s Olympic football tournament is one stacked with potential.

Defending champions Brazil and Mexico have both been enthralling going forward and scoring goals, meaning it could come down to how well either side defend.

The last time these two sides faced each other competitively was at the 2018 World Cup, where the senior Brazil side won 2-0.

Mexico

With 14 goals across four games, Mexico have been exhilarating to watch.

They progressed through to the semi-finals with a 6-3 win over Republic of Korea, but they were made to work hard for it.

When the game was poised at 3-2, it looked as though Korea would equalise, but the Mexicans pulled away to show their class at this tournament.

Both Luis Romo  and Sebastian Cordova had influential games, getting themselves on the scoresheet and assisting their teammates.

Having four different goal scorers in the quarter-final is a testament to their strength going forward, and they’ll almost certainly be a handful for Brazil’s backline to deal with.

Brazil

Much like their semi-final opponents Mexico, Brazil have enjoyed their fair share of goals throughout the tournament so far.

They’ve scored eight so far, enjoying big wins against Germany and Saudi Arabia in the group stages, but it was just the one needed to progress past Egypt, courtesy of Matheus Cunha, assisted by frontman Richarlison.

And it’s Richarlison that has been enjoying the open attacking approach of the Brazil side, with five goals scored across four games so far.

In the absence of Rio 2016 hero Neymar, he could be key to success, as he’s already demonstrated in his ability to score and create.

With three goals conceded, Brazil often found themselves pegged back due to lack of concentration at times – meaning they’ll need to be on top of their game to keep out a Mexico side scoring for fun.

Brazil’s men moved within two wins of back-to-back Olympic golds by beating Egypt 1-0 at Tokyo 2020.