Lopez, Garcia & Cubarsi feature as Spain win Olympic opener

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Cubarsi conceded a penalty in the first half

Barcelona stars Eric Garcia, Pau Cubari and Fermin Lopez all featured as Spain beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in their opening fixture of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The trio were all in from the start as La Roja made hard work of it but eventually came through to claim an important win.

Spain took the lead just before the half-hour mark. A free-kick whipped in by Sergio Gómez was flicked on at the near post by Abel Ruiz and found Marc Pubill to poke home at the back stick.

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Yet Uzbekistan managed to level just before the break when Cubarsi gave away a penalty after getting on the wrong side of Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev. Cubarsi tried to pull him back and, although he went down easily, the referee gave the spot kick after a VAR check.

Eldor Shomurodov stepped up to take the penalty and sent the ball low into the corner and past the dive of former Barca stopper Arnau Tenas to make it 1-1 heading into half-time.

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Cubarsi, who has also booked in the first half was replaced by Jon Pacheco at the break as Spain attempted to turn the game back in their favor in the second 45 minutes.

Spain went back in front ten minutes into the second half after another penalty was awarded. This time it went in La Roja’s favor after Aimar Oroz was tripped. Up stepped Gomez but his kick was blocked by the goalkeeper.

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Yet Gomez was quick to make amends as Spain continued to attack through Fermin Lopez. A move ended with Juan Miranda picking out Gomez in the box to guide a low shot past the goalkeeper and make it 2-1.

Lopez was taken off in the 75th minute as Spain freshened up their team by making a host of changes to try and see the game out.

Uzbekistan did have several late chances but Spain hung on, even escaping another penalty shout deep into stoppage time, to take the win.

Source: barcablaugranes.com