Oyarzabal, Zubimendi and Merino take the victory against Japan thanks to Asensio’s goal from Eibartarra and will fight with Brazil for the gold
The dream is getting closer and closer. After a complicated, exhausting match, which has not been decided until the second part of extra time, Real Sociedad players Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal are finalists of the Olympic Games after beating Japan in the semifinals (1 -0, Asensio goal) and they will return to Zubieta with a medal hanging around their necks. Gold … or silver.
An incredible finishing touch to a season that can be tinged even more with gold. The great victory in the final of the Copa del Rey against Athletic -of which today is four months old- and the qualification for the Europa League were not enough for this batch of boys with an ambition almost as great as the talent they have in his boots.
Oyarzabal was once again key to the victory of the Spanish team. The Eibartarra gave the pass to Asensio so that the Mallorcan scored the only goal of the victory against Japan, in the second part of extra time.
San Sebastian midfielder Martin Zubimendi shone again in the center of the field. Key piece in the destruction and recovery of the game of La Rojita played 96 minutes of the game. However, given the warning he received in the last minute of regular time for grabbing a rival, he forced Luis de la Fuente to withdraw the Donostiarra.
Merino, also protagonist
The other txuri-urdin, Mikel Merino, also a starter, was the first of the royalists to be replaced. The Navarrese, very participative during his minutes on the pitch, has starred in one of the plays of the game. A penalty designated in favor of the selection, although it has finally been rejected by the VAR. The midfielder has been replaced at the time of the game by Carlos Soler. A few minutes earlier, in the 51st minute, he had been sanctioned with a yellow card.
Brazil will be the last hurdle to overcome so that Zubimendi, Merino and Oyarzabal will have to make a small hole in their suitcases to bring back to Zubieta their gold medals that accredit them as Olympic champions. The perfect climax to a season that will hardly be forgotten. The big shock will be this Saturday at 1.30 pm.
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