Gomez scores winner as Spain edge past Uzbekistan to get Paris campaign underway

Spain overcame a determined and dangerous Uzbekistan side to get their men’s Olympic football campaign off to a winning start thanks to Sergio Gomez, the Manchester City midfielder also creating his side’s opener in a 2-1 win.

Uzbekistan were ferocious on their Olympic footballing debut, outmatching Spain in the first half and fully deserved to enter the break level with their esteemed opponents thanks to an Eldor Shomurodov penalty cancelling out Marc Pubill’s goal.

Vastly more experienced as a group, the White Wolves initially overwhelmed a Spanish side whose tentative and disjointed start to the match reflected their limited time spent training together.

Pubill’s strike was against the run of play but Gomez’s winner came just moments after he had watched his penalty brilliantly saved by Abduvohid Nematov, as the second half featured a rejuvenated Spanish side more befitting their reputation as one of the favourites for gold.

Uzbekistan didn’t fade completely though and saw an injury-time VAR penalty check waved away, winning plenty of admirers at the Parc des Princes despite failing to find a second equaliser.

They missed out despite a dizzying final 20 minutes from Abbosbek Fayzullaev, beating Pubill time after time on the left flank and fashioning a string of opportunities for his side. Spain were forced to dig in and almost conceded at the death when Umarali Rakhmonaliev fired at an empty net from distance, but dragged his shot wide.

With the top two sides from each group advancing to the quarter-finals, Timur Kapadze’s side proved they’ll be a threat to Egypt and the Dominican Republic and stunned Spain in a devastating first half.

Pressing a Spanish defence sorely lacking in chemistry, both central defenders earned yellow cards early attempting to make up for losing possession in dangerous areas.

Barcelona starlet Pau Cubarsi was hauled off at half-time with Uzbekistan’s direct play causing plenty of problems spearheaded by Jasurbek Jaloliddinov in midfield. However, Uzbek legend Shormurodov wasn’t sharp enough in front of goal on a couple of occasions which kept Spain in the game.

Spain coach Santi Denia believes his side will improve with every day spent together, and can still celebrate three points as they attempt to go one better than in Tokyo three years ago.

With the similarly fancied Argentina rescuing a very late draw against Morocco and France in action tonight, there are worse ways to start a campaign and for all Uzbekistan’s effort and invention, Arnau Tenas was rarely frightened in goal.

Spain were unplayable for the third quarter of the game and dominated midfield, leading to the penalty and eventually Gomez’s winner, and it’s that promise that Denia will look to build before their next match against the Dominican Republic. But he is not just looking to build an attractive team, he needs young winners and Spain proved their worth in that department.

With both sides boasting standout individual performances, Gomez’s contributions ultimately made the difference for Spain.

He’s one of Denia’s three overage players and showed the necessary leadership to bounce back from his penalty miss instantly, slotting a cool finish past 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 cross finding Abel Ruiz. He misses contact with his head but somehow flicks it to the back post where Marc Pubill is there to finish from point-blank range.

42′ – Uzbekistan 0-1 Spain: Another penalty shout, Spain are truly lucky to be leading right now. Defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev are both shoved to the floor on either side of the penalty area paint chasing a bouncing ball. VAR is in operation at these Olympics, it’s Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham on the other end of the headset…

45+3′ – GOAL!! Uzbekistan 1-1 Spain: AND THE UZBEK CROWD GO WILD!! Perfectly placed by Shomurodov, Tenas was oh-so-close to getting his paw to it but instead we’re all level!

58′ – Uzbekistan 1-1 Spain: Penalty to Spain! It’s Oroz at the heart of it once again, he receives the ball heading towards the by-line and it’s only slight contact from Fayzullaev but enough to send the Osasuna man 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 stuck it down the middle, seemingly fooling Nematov who dived to his left. But the goalkeeper of the tournament at the recent U23 Asian Cup didn’t over-commit to the left and stuck out his right leg to deny Gomez and keep his side’s dreams alive.

62′ – GOAL!!! Uzbekistan 1-2 Spain: Gomez makes no mistake that time though! It’s the perfect response from Spain and their attacker, Uzbekistan were stretched to breaking point and Miranda pulled the ball back from the left to Gomez arriving late in the box, and his shot gets through the despairing dive of Husniddin Aliqulov with Nematov rooted to the spot.

90+5′ – Uzbekistan 1-2 Spain: Not one, not two but three White Wolves went down as the corner swung in but the referee is unmoved. That’s not the end of the danger though! The ball is lifted back into the box and Tenas can only tentatively punch clear, allowing Rakhmonaliev a shot at the keeper-less net that misses by just a yard! VAR is getting involved too…

• Pubill’s goal was the very first score of the 2024 Olympics, as Morocco didn’t opening the scoring against Argentina until just before half time.
• It was Shomurodov’s 41st goal for Uzbekistan at a senior level – more than any other player.