Hosts Japan continue their impressive run in the soccer competition of the ongoing Olympic Games after booking a place in the last four of the men’s competition.

Following their victory in the penalty shootout against New Zealand, the Japanese have set up an intriguing semi-final encounter with former winners Spain who are hoping to capture the golden fleece for the second time. Spain were the hosts the last time they won and are hoping to spoil the party for the 2020 hosts when they meet on Tuesday.

Spain escaped defeat in the quarter-finals by a whisker when they came from behind to beat Cote’d’Ivoire by 5-2. The Ivorians took a 2-1 lead in added time but failed to protect the lead as substitute Rafa Mir equalized with his first touch off the bench, then scored twice in extra time to help Spain to a 5-2 victory over the African representatives.

Meanwhile, defending champions Brazil took a step closer to retaining their title when they defeated another African representative Egypt 1-0 in their quarter-final encounter to book a semi-final date with another former winners Mexico.

Mexico dispatched South Korea in the other quarter-final with a massive 6-3 victory as they also inch closer to winning soccer gold again.