Dominican Republic vs Spain

Parc des Princes forms the backdrop for a ‘David vs Goliath’ clash between the Dominican Republic and Spain in the second round of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Despite being given fewer chances to win the gold medal in Paris after the opening round, the Dominican Republic’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages in their maiden appearance at the Olympics are still alive following a hard-earned 0-0 draw against Egypt. With their Group C journey rounding off against fellow minnows Uzbekistan next week, avoiding defeat against Spain would be huge. Los Quisqueyanos were among only four nations to have kept a clean sheet in the opening round. However, despite attempting 15 shots on goal, they were also one of the four yet to get on the scoresheet. Ibai Gomez’s men have drawn a blank in both internationals since arriving in France earlier in July, having lost a warm-up fixture in Toulon 7-0.

Meanwhile, scoring on either side of halftime helped Spain see off Uzbekistan 2-1 in their Group C opener and ascend to the top of the section ahead of round two. La Roja would secure qualification for the knockout stages with another win against Olympic debutants, with the odds firmly backing them for success in Bordeaux. Head coach Santi Denia will turn to Fermin Lopez and Alex Baena, who won the 2024 UEFA European Championship with the senior team earlier in July, to inspire his side to a more convincing win this time, with the up-and-coming duo winning eight consecutive tournament games this summer. Perhaps worryingly for the Spaniards, they’ve failed to take a halftime lead in any of their last ten Olympic matches.