Brazil and Mexico take victories and will face in the semi-finals of the men’s football tournament as the Tokyo Olympics as hosts Japan progressed to the last-four after a penalty shootout win over New Zealand
Brazil will face Mexico in the semi-finals of the men’s football tournament in Tokyo, after they took a narrow 1-0 victory over Eygpt.
The defending champions struggled to find top gear throughout the match but did enough to qualify through Matheus Cunha’s first-half strike.
Their goal game after a counter attack in which Everton’s Richarlison set up the Hertha Berlin striker who coolly slotted home.
Brazil made the semi-finals in Tokyo after a hard-fought victory against Egypt on Saturday
Hertha Berlin striker Matheus Cunha celebrates after scoring the match winner
They will face Mexico in the round who comfortably beat South Korea in their quarter-final
Japan also progressed and are hoping for their first men’s football medal since 1968
They will face Mexico in the next round who delivered an attacking masterclass to beat South Korea 6-3.
Midfielder Sebastian Cordova and forward Henry Martin scored two goals each, while Eduardo Aguirre and Luis Romo also got on the scoresheet as Mexico sounded out a warning to their rivals heading into the business end of the competition.
Mexico will fancy their chances of causing an upset against Brazil after scoring 14 goals in their four games so far this tournament.
Elsewhere, Japan edged out New Zealand 4-2 in a penalty shootout to reach the semi-finals.
After a goalless 120 minutes, the hosts went into a penalty shootout against their opponents.
New Zealand full back Liberato Cacace’s penalty was saved by Kosei Tani before midfielder Clayton Lewis blasted his spot-kick over the bar.
Sebastian Cordova and Henry Martin both scored braces for Mexico in their win
Japan’s captain Maya Yoshida made it four out of four from the spot to book their place in the Olympic semi-finals for the first time since the London 2012 Games.
Japan are the only team to maintain a perfect record in the group stage and are now just one win away from securing a first medal in men’s soccer since claiming bronze at the 1968 Games.
They will next face Spain, who reached the last-four with a 5-2 win over Ivory Coast.
Japan advanced to the semi-final with a penalty shootout win over New Zealand