The disappointing draw of Spain against Egypt on the opening day of the Olympic Games (0-0), which was also accompanied by the unfortunate injuries of Óscar Mingueza and Dani Ceballos, did not fall on deaf ears and was a wake-up call that served to that La Rojita reacted this Sunday against Australia, which he has overcome with much suffering and a goal from the realist Mikel Oyarzábal in the 80th minute.
Up to five changes has been made by Luis de la Fuente with respect to Thursday's game against the North African team to give a twist and seek solutions. Óscar Gil, Cucurella, Zubimendi, Carlos Soler and Puado, who sat on the bench, entered through Mingueza, Miranda, Merino, Ceballos and Asensio. Half a new team, as they say.
From very early on, an improved Spain was seen. Although it was not a trail of occasions, the selection could have gone to rest with a goal in the bag. On the left wing, Puado and Cucurella, two of the novelties, did damage, but lacked success in the final meters. Pedri was at a better level and showed his quality on a couple of occasions. First with a masterful pass to the hole to Oyarzabal that ended up offside and then with a powerful but focused shot from the edge that Glove safely saved. The azulgrana, in addition, left the odd flash of genius.
But it wasn't until the 21st minute that Spain finally put Australia in real trouble, when Oyarzabal sent a left-handed whip to the crossbar. The locals came out to see them coming. They played little waiting for the long pass to Arzani, but they were always far behind in possession: 70% favorable to Spain, which was more at the restart.
Revulsive in the second part
Without changes in the 'eleven' at the start of the second half, Spain came out with the same attitude and in the 54th minute Oyarzabal received a pass from Olmo in the area but his shot went high. De la Fuente began to move the bench and resorted to the always effervescent Bryan Gil (for Puado), who did not disappoint by trying to combine and overflow for his band. Shortly after, Asensio (for Soler) and Rafa Mir (for Óscar Gil) entered in a clear message to go for it all.
The changes gave freshness to the team, which had it in the boots and the head of Rafa Mir. The goal was chewed. But it was finally one of the ‘veterans’ who opened the can and pulled the U-21 out of the quagmire. Ten minutes from the end, and with Spain overturned in the Australian area, Oyarzábal scored with a header by sending a good ball served by Asensio into the net. The entire bench of Spain breathed relieved, which now depends on itself to go to the quarterfinals.
Australia: Glover; Atkinson, Souttar, Deng (D'Agostino, m. 83), King; McGree (Baccus, m. 72), Genreau (Watts, m. 72), Metcalfe, Arzani (Tilio, m. 63), Duke and Wales (Rwoles, m. 63).
Spain: Unai Simón; Óscar Gil (Rafa Mir, m. 76), Eric García, Pau Torres, Cucurella; Zubimendi, Pedri; Olmo, Soler (Asensio, d. 68), Oyarzabal; Puado (Bryan Gil, d. 57).
Goal: 0-1, min.80, Oyarzabal.
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa (Ethiopia) admonished Wales (d. 42), McGree (d. 51), Duke (d. 57) and Atkinson (d. 90 + 4) in Australia and Óscar Gil (d. 3) and Unai Simón (d. 90) from Spain.
Incidents: Match of the men's soccer competition of the Olympic Games framed within Group C and played at the Sapporo Dome stadium. No viewers due to coronavirus restrictions. Australia knelt before the start of the match as a gesture of protest against racism.