Alves leads Brazil to back-to-back Olympic football Gold medals

Dani Alves captained Brazil to football glory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after a 2-1 victory over Spain in the final. Brazil has added this year’s Olympic gold to their haul of Olympic football medals after a battling display in Japan.

The tournament’s top scorer Richarlison missed the chance to put Brazil ahead as he blazed over from the penalty spot in the 38th minute after Unai Simon brought down Matheus Cunha. It was Cunha that, however, put Brazil in front as he expertly fired home after being set up by his 38-year-old captain Dani Alves in first half added time. Spain rallied and got their leveller through Real Sociedad forward Mikel Oyarzabal in the 61st minute. Both sides failed the find the net in regulation time, and the match went to extra time. In the 108th minute, a hopeful ball over the top from Antony saw former Barcelona man Malcolm outpace Spain’s Jesus Vallejo to pick up the ball and smash in a shot past Simon from a tight angle for what turned out to be the match-winner for the Brazilians.

Brazil has extended their recent dominance in Olympic football, having picked up the gold medal in 2016, silver in 2012 and bronze in 2008. Team captain Dani Alves was picked as one of the team’s overage players for the competition, and he started every match for the side, clocking 120 minutes in both the semifinal and final despite being about 15 years older than his teammates. Alves’ participation has earned him a 44th professional title, making him the most decorated footballer in history by a distance. His honours are listed below;

6 x La Liga
5 x Spanish Super Cup
4 x Super Cup
3 x Champions League
3 x Club World Cup
2 x Copa America
2 x UEFA Cup
2 x Ligue 1
2 x Confederation’s Cup
2 x French Super Cup
1 x Serie A
1 x Italian Cup
1 x Olympic Gold Medal

Alves has distinguished himself as maybe the best right-back ever to kick a football as he has won a great deal everywhere he has been throughout his professional career.