Brazil 2-1 Spain (AET): Player ratings as Selecao claim Olympic gold

Brazil claimed Olympic gold once again after their 2-1 win over Spain in extra time on Saturday at Tokyo 2020.

The Selecao were awarded a penalty ten minutes before half time as Unai Simon came charging off his line to try and punch a cross clear but completely missed the ball and clattered into Matheus Cunha. Richarlison stepped up to take the resulting spot kick but fired his effort way over the crossbar.

The South American side didn't have to wait much longer to finally take the lead as Dani Alves did well to hook the ball back into the box before Pau Torres produced one of the worst bits of defending you'll see all year, completely missing a simple header and subsequently allowing Cunha to slot home.

Brazil very nearly doubled their lead early in the second half as Richarlison did brilliantly to create a yard of space in the box before his effort was diverted onto the crossbar by Simon, but just a few minutes later the scores were level thanks to a sublime back-post volley from Mikel Oyarzabal.

With the scores locked at 1-1 the game headed for extra time, and it was Andre Jardine's side who produced the moment of class to edge the contest as the jet-heeled Malcom left Spain's defence for dead before slotting the ball beyond Simon to claim the gold medal for his side.

That's the match highlights out of the way, now let's get to those Brazil and Spain player ratings...

BRAZIL PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Santos (GK) - 6/10 - Could have been sat in Brazil for the first half and he'd have been just as busy. Was called upon much more in the second half but there was nothing he could do about Spain's equaliser.

Dani Alves (RB) - 6/10 - Showed all of his experience to continue battling for a seemingly lost cause at the back post and then hooked it back into the box for Brazil to take the lead. Caught out at the back post as Spain drew level.

Nino (CB) - 5/10 - Fancied himself with the ball at his feet but never really looked comfortable and almost gave it away in a dangerous area on a number of occasions.

Diego Carlos (CB) - 6/10 - Almost put the ball in his own net early on but did brilliantly to recover and hook the ball to safety. Looked much steadier as the game wore on.

Guilherme Arana (LB) - 8/10 - Perfectly weighted ball inside to Richarlison with 25 minutes gone but the Everton man could only find the side netting. Didn't stop running and offering an outlet on the wing all game.

2. Midfielders

Douglas Luiz (CM) - 6/10 - Not the kind of performance we've become used to seeing him produce at Aston Villa. Knocked the ball about and was tidy enough but little more to report.

Bruno Guimaraes (CM) - 6/10 - Guilty of jogging back and failing to stop
Carlos Soler's cross which allowed Spain to level. Swung some dangerous crosses into the box as Brazil pushed for a late goal.

Matheus Cunha (AM) - 7/10 - Very composed finish as he took full advantage of Torres' shocking defending to hand his side the lead. Always looked a threat on the break and carried his team at times.

3. Forwards

Antony (RW) - 7/10 - An absolute wizard on the Brazil right. Had Marc Cucurella on toast whenever he ran at him and should have been utilised more.

Richarlison (ST) - 4/10 - Went down far too easily and spent much of the first half on the floor. If his diving was bad then his attempted penalty was even worse as he fired miles over the crossbar from the spot.

Claudinho (LW) - 5/10 - Completely outshone by Antony on the opposite flank. Kept dropping deep to try and get a foot on the ball but nothing he tried paid off.

4. Substitutes

Malcom (LW) - 7/10 - showed great composure to slot home and grab his side the gold medal.

Reinier (AM) - 6/10

Gabriel Menino (RB) -N/A

Paulinho (CM) - N/A

SPAIN PLAYER RATINGS

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

Unai Simon (GK) - 5/10 - Looked very shaky with the ball at his feet and made a number of poor clearances. Appalling goalkeeping to concede the first-half penalty. Redeemed himself in the second half with a great save from Richarlison.

Oscar Gil (RB) - 7/10 - Given one of the toughest jobs on the pitch as he was tasked with shackling the flying Guilherme Arana. Battled well with the Brazilian left-back and can be pleased with his efforts. Almost grabbed an unlikely late winner in normal time as his cross struck the bar.

Eric Garcia (CB) - 6/10 - Tried to get tight to Richarlison but just ended up looking clumsy and picked up an early booking after steaming into the back of the striker.

Pau Torres (CB) - 5/10 - Absolutely shocking defending as Brazil took the lead, turning his back on the ball before Cunha slotted home. Did well to compete with the busy Brazilian frontline but we just can't forgive that earlier bit of defending.

Marc Cucurella (LB) - 6/10 - Beaten all too easily in the build-up to Brazil's opener. Provided a threat on the break and was a constant outlet down the Spain left.

6. Midfielders

Martin Zubimendi (CM) - 7/10 - Showed lovely feet when he was on the ball and helped to drag his side further up the field with some classy dribbling.

Pedri (CM) - 6/10 - Evidently pinpointed by the Brazil midfield as the dangerman and was well marshalled all game. The performance of a man who has played 735 games in the last 12 months.

Mikel Merino (CM) - 5/10 - Struggled to impact the game in the first half and was withdrawn at half time as Spain went in search of an equaliser.

7. Forwards

Marco Asensio (RW) - 4/10 - Absolutely anonymous. Was hooked at half time but his second half performance on the bench was arguably as good as his display in the first 45 minutes.

Mikel Oyarzabal (ST) - 7/10 - Showed great movement throughout and looked to peel off the Brazil backline whenever he was given the chance. Absolutely stunning finish to draw his side level.

Dani Olmo (LW) - 5/10 - Looked lively early on but his influence on the game began to wane. Tried to drift in from the left and cause more problems in-field but he still struggled to impact the game,

8. Substitutes

Carlos Soler (CM) - 7/10

Bryan Gil (LW) - 7/10

Juan Miranda (LB) - 6/10

Jesus Vallejo (CB) - 5/10

Rafa Mir (ST) - 6/10

Jon Moncayola (CM) - N/A