Brazil reached the final of the Olympic Games on Tuesday afternoon. The team of national coach André Jardine was too strong for Mexico after penalties, after both teams failed to score in regular time. Antony started in the base with Brazil and played the entire game. Brazil will face the winner of the game between Japan and Spain in the final, which will be played later in the day.
The duel between Brazil and Mexico, who both managed to seize Olympic gold once in the past, was a repeat of the final of the Olympic Games in London in 2012. Then Mexico won 2-1. The team of national coach Jaime Lozano was the most accurate in this tournament with fourteen hits, nine of which in the last two duels with South Korea (3-6) and South Africa (0-3). Against Brazil, however, it was a lot more difficult, because Mexico was barely involved in the first act and only had to limit itself to defending.
Brazil fired from the starting blocks and looked to be taking the lead early in the game, when Antony took care of the prep work and Richarlison appeared dangerously in front of the goal. The latter, however, just couldn’t control the ball. Also an attempt by Guilherme Arana could not be promoted to a goal. The left wing defender came one-on-one with goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, but was unable to give his effort enough power and direction and saw the Mexican goalie save easily.
In the second act hardly anything changed in terms of gameplay. Brazil continued to dominate, without realizing great opportunities. Antony begged in vain for a penalty and after more than an hour of playing Ochoa found his way after a beautiful solo. The biggest chance of the match came in the name of Richarlison in the final phase, who extended a cross from Antony towards the far post. His bet bounced back into the field from the inside of the post. When the extension then did not bring a decision, Brazil turned out to be the strongest after penalties due to misses by Johan Vásquez and Eduardo Aguirre.
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