Simon Evans
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Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Soccer Football - Men - Semifinal - Mexico v Brazil - Ibaraki Kashima Stadium, Ibaraki, Japan - August 3, 2021. Mexico players line up at the start of the penalty shoot-out REUTERS/Henry Romero
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SAITAMA, Japan, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Marco Asensio struck in an extra-time winner as Spain ended Japan's hopes of Olympic gold in men's football with a 1-0 (aet) victory, setting up a clash with Brazil in Saturday's final.
Defending champions Brazil also had to struggle to make the final, beating Mexico 4-1 on penalties after the game ended goalless after extra-time.
Japan had matched Spain throughout the game, playing with creativity and invention going forward and tenacity without the ball and they were five minutes away from taking the match to a penalty shootout.