Brazil Beat Mexico on Penalties to Reach Olympic Final

Brazil players celebrate winning the penalty shootout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men's semi-final football match between Mexico and Brazil at Ibaraki Kashima Stadium in Kashima city, Ibaraki, Japan, on Aug. 3, 2021. Edgar Su/Reuters

TOKYO—Defending champions Brazil reached the final of the men’s Olympic football competition on Tuesday, beating Mexico 4–1 on penalties after the game ended goalless after extra-time.

Brazil went close to settling the match inside 90 minutes when Richarlison struck the post with a glancing header in the 82nd minute.

But when it came to the shootout, they had their keeper Santos to thank for a fine save to keep out Eduardo Aguirre’s spot-kick and after Mexico’s Johan Vasquez hit the post, Brazil just need to keep their cool.

Mexico players line up at the start of the penalty shoot-out during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men's semi-final football match between Mexico and Brazil at Ibaraki Kashima Stadium in Kashima city, Ibaraki, Japan, on Aug. 3, 2021. Henry Romero/Reuters

Reiner’s right-footed shot into the bottom corner ensured victory for the team captained by 38-year-old former Barcelona full back Dani Alves.

Brazil will face the winners of Tuesday’s other semi-final between Spain and Japan in Saitama.

By Simon Evans