Brazil Beat Mexico on Penalties to Reach Olympic Final

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
Reuters
Updated:

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)
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