Gomez rankings winner as Spain edge previous Uzbekistan to get Paris marketing campaign underway

Spain overcame a decided and threatening Uzbekistan aspect to get their males’s Olympic soccer marketing campaign off to a profitable get started due to Sergio Gomez, the Manchester Town midfielder additionally growing his aspect’s opener in a 2-1 win.

Uzbekistan had been ferocious on their Olympic footballing debut, outmatching Spain within the first 1/2 and completely deserved to go into the smash stage with their esteemed combatants due to an Eldor Shomurodov penalty cancelling out Marc Pubill’s function.

Hugely extra skilled as a gaggle, the White Wolves first of all beaten a Spanish aspect whose tentative and disjointed begin to the fit mirrored their restricted time spent coaching in combination.

Pubill’s strike used to be in opposition to the run of play however Gomez’s winner got here simply moments after he had watched his penalty brilliantly stored by means of Abduvohid Nematov, as the second one 1/2 featured a rejuvenated Spanish aspect extra befitting their popularity as some of the favourites for gold.

Uzbekistan didn’t fade utterly despite the fact that and noticed an injury-time VAR penalty test waved away, profitable quite a lot of admirers on the Parc des Princes in spite of failing to discover a 2d equaliser.

They ignored out in spite of a dizzying ultimate 20 mins from Abbosbek Fayzullaev, beating Pubill time after time at the left flank and fashioning a string of alternatives for his aspect. Spain had been compelled to dig in and nearly conceded on the loss of life when Umarali Rakhmonaliev fired at an empty web from distance, however dragged his shot vast.

With the highest two facets from every crew advancing to the quarter-finals, Timur Kapadze’s aspect proved they’ll be a danger to Egypt and the Dominican Republic and surprised Spain in a devastating first 1/2.

Urgent a Spanish defence sorely missing in chemistry, each central defenders earned yellow playing cards early making an attempt to make up for dropping ownership in bad spaces.

Barcelona starlet Pau Cubarsi used to be hauled off at half-time with Uzbekistan’s direct play inflicting quite a lot of issues spearheaded by means of Jasurbek Jaloliddinov in midfield. On the other hand, Uzbek legend Shormurodov wasn’t sharp sufficient in entrance of function on a few events which saved Spain within the recreation.

Spain trainer Santi Denia believes his aspect will strengthen with each day spent in combination, and will nonetheless rejoice 3 issues as they try to move one higher than in Tokyo 3 years in the past.

With the in a similar way fancied Argentina rescuing an excessively overdue draw in opposition to Morocco and France in motion this night, there are worse techniques to begin a marketing campaign and for all Uzbekistan’s effort and invention, Arnau Tenas used to be hardly worried in function.

Spain had been unplayable for the 3rd quarter of the sport and ruled midfield, resulting in the penalty and in the end Gomez’s winner, and it’s that promise that Denia will glance to construct earlier than their subsequent fit in opposition to the Dominican Republic. However he is not only taking a look to construct a lovely group, he wishes younger winners and Spain proved their value in that division.

With either side boasting standout person performances, Gomez’s contributions in the long run made the adaptation for Spain.

He’s one among Denia’s 3 overage gamers and confirmed the vital management to bop again from his penalty leave out right away, slotting a groovy end previous Nematov.

UZBEKISTAN: Nematov 6, Aliqulov 7, Khusanov 6, Khamraliev 7, Yuldoshev 6, Jaloliddinov 7, Buriev 6, Fayzullaev 8, Urunov 6, Rakhmonaliev 6, Shomurodov. 7

Subs: Norchaev 6, Jiyanov 6, Ibragimov 6, Kholmatov 7.

SPAIN: Tenas 8, Pubill 7, Cubarsi 5, E Garcia 6, Miranda 7, Baena 6, F Lopez 6, Oroz 7, Gomez 8, Barrios 6, Ruiz 6.

Subs: Pacheco 7, D Lopez 7, Bernabe 6, Turrientes 6, Omorodion 6.

29′ – GOAL! Uzbekistan 0-1 Spain: Spain disguised a free-kick between Baena and Gomez with the latter’s move discovering Abel Ruiz. He misses touch together with his head however come what may flicks it to the again put up the place Marc Pubill is there to complete from point-blank vary.

42′ – Uzbekistan 0-1 Spain: Any other penalty shout, Spain are actually fortunate to be main presently. Defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev are each shoved to the ground on both sides of the penalty house paint chasing a bouncing ball. VAR is in operation at those Olympics, it is Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham at the different finish of the headset…

45+3′ – GOAL!! Uzbekistan 1-1 Spain: AND THE UZBEK CROWD GO WILD!! Completely positioned by means of Shomurodov, Tenas used to be oh-so-close to getting his paw to it however as a substitute we are all stage!

58′ – Uzbekistan 1-1 Spain: Penalty to Spain! It is Oroz on the middle of it as soon as once more, he receives the ball heading against the by-line and it is only slight touch from Fayzullaev however sufficient to ship the Osasuna guy sprawling and referee Beida has no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

60′ – Uzbekistan 1-1 Spain: SAVED!!! AND WHAT A SAVE IT IS!!! Gomez elected to take the penalty and glued it down the center, apparently fooling Nematov who dived to his left. However the goalkeeper of the event on the contemporary U23 Asian Cup did not over-commit to the left and glued out his proper leg to disclaim Gomez and stay his aspect’s goals alive.

62′ – GOAL!!! Uzbekistan 1-2 Spain: Gomez makes no mistake that point despite the fact that! It is the very best reaction from Spain and their attacker, Uzbekistan had been stretched to snapping point and Miranda pulled the ball again from the left to Gomez arriving overdue within the field, and his shot will get throughout the despairing dive of Husniddin Aliqulov with Nematov rooted to the spot.

90+5′ – Uzbekistan 1-2 Spain: No longer one, now not two however 3 White Wolves went down because the nook swung in however the referee is unmoved. That isn’t the tip of the chance despite the fact that! The ball is lifted again into the field and Tenas can simplest tentatively punch transparent, permitting Rakhmonaliev a shot on the keeper-less web that misses by means of only a backyard! VAR is becoming concerned too…

• Pubill’s function used to be the first actual rating of the 2024 Olympics, as Morocco didn’t opening the scoring in opposition to Argentina till simply earlier than 1/2 time.
• It used to be Shomurodov’s forty first function for Uzbekistan at a senior stage – greater than every other participant.