Paris kicked off the Olympic competition with football two days before the opening ceremony, but Santi Denia’s team was barely able to turn on a glimmer of light. Enough, in any case, to see off a spirited Uzbekistan with great difficulty in a shaky start for one of the medal hopefuls in two weeks at the Parc des Princes.
1
Abduvohid Ne’matov, Ibrokhimkhalil Yo’ldoshev, Abdukodir Khusanov, Muhammadqodir Hamraliev, Husniddin Aliqulov, Abdurauf Bo’riyev (Ruslanbek Jiyanov, min. 66), Oston Urunov (Husain Norchaev, min. 58), Jasurbek Jaloliddinov (Diyor Holmatov, min. . 66), Umarali Rahmonaliyev, Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Eldor Shomurodov (Ibrokhim Ibragimov, min. 78)
2
Arnau Tenas, Marc Pubill, Pau Cubarsí (Jon Pacheco, min. 45), Juan Miranda, Eric García, Pablo Barrios, Fermín López (Adrián Bernabé, min. 75), Álex Baena (Beñat Turrientes, min. 86), Sergio Gómez , Aimar Oroz (Diego López, min. 75) and Abel Ruiz (Samu Omorodion, min. 86)
Goals
0-1 min. 27: Marc Pubill. 1-1 min. 47: Eldor Shomurodov. 1-2 min. 61: Sergio Gomez
Referee Dahane Beida
Yellow cards
Pau Cubarsí (min. 6), Jasurbek Jaloliddinov (min. 35), Marc Pubill (min. 36), Abdurauf Bo’riyev (min. 60), Diyor Holmatov (min. 67), Adrian Bernabe (min. 79), Abel Ruiz (min. 81), Samu Omorodion (min. 97)
A collection of players from Barcelona, Girona, Villarreal, Atlético, Real Sociedad and Betis had a bad time that only the most pessimistic or pessimistic could have predicted. They faced a group of players coming, for the most part, from the local Asian league, with Eldor Shomudorov as the most distinguished piece, a 29-year-old forward for whom Roma paid almost 20 million three years ago, but who has only scored six goals in the Italian capital. The poor international lustre of the opponents, however, did not make things easier for La Rojita, who was cut off until half-time and was locked in the last quarter of an hour, with all 10 outfield players defending crosses.
The start of the afternoon session in sunny but not hot Paris did not herald any leisurely moments for Spain, who took only a few minutes to overcome a rival who had been on their backs from the start. The numerous colonies of Uzbek fans were having a party in the amphitheatre of the Parc des Princes while their boys chewed on the grass in their enthusiasm. If Spain had expected a placid afternoon, they found themselves with a ball of meat that took many minutes to eat.
The ball was neither able to move nor to avoid the Asian push, which went forward very convinced in its pressure. Even so, Santi Denia’s team still took the lead in the 28th minute with a play that was not at all sophisticated. Unable to group four meaningful passes upwards, the goal was forged in one of the most rudimentary moves in football: a cross, a header at the near post (Abel Ruiz) and a shot at the far post (Marc Pubill). Until then, Spain had only allowed one centred shot from Álex Baena.
But since faith knows no accidents, Uzbekistan continued to crank things up. Pushing, crowding and persisting. The central duo, Eric García and Pau Cubarsi, suffered from the start to get the ball out and stop the rival’s spirit. Shomudorov was close to catching two balls before Spain went ahead. And the stubbornness was rewarded with the hand of the VAR, who warned the referee of a grab by Cubarsi on Hamraliev. It didn’t seem like much, but the room informed the referee and he ended up pointing at the 11-meter mark. Uzbek spirits must have been so high that Shomudorov’s corner shot was followed by his teammate Jaloliddinov on his knees, as if at that moment the gold medal was being decided.
Penalty missed by Sergio Gomez
The draw confirmed that the afternoon had turned against the national team and Santi Deni was quick to take action. During the break for reflection, Cubarsi’s yellow card and his obvious difficulties in the first half pushed the coach to look for a replacement in the centre of defence with Jon Pacheco. The return from the break brought back a team with more vigour, more rhythm and benefiting from an Álex Baena who was more focused on the match. It was nothing dazzling, but it was enough to end up tilting the afternoon.
He still had to deal with Sergio Gómez’s mistake from the penalty spot. His centred shot was saved with Nematov’s feet. Real Sociedad’s new player quickly found revenge when he took advantage of a defensive gap inside the area to fine-tune the second goal.
And, once again, another stoppage for Spain. From then until the end, they had to let time pass and close ranks in the end before the last attack by Uzbekistan, who bombarded Arnau Tenas’ area. A moment of intrigue with the VAR for a possible penalty against the national team was the last scare in an afternoon of bad-tempered play and a happy result in the centre of Paris.
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