Barcelona midfield prodigy scores a brace as Spain beat Japan in Olympics QF

Barcelona midfield prodigy Fermin Lopez continued his dream run as he scored a brace to help Spain beat Japan 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The 21-year-old sensation is having a year to remember, having broken into the Barcelona first team and finished with 11 goals to his name.

A couple of months ago, Fermin got his first call-up to the Spanish senior national team and went on to win the UEFA Euro 2024 with them.

Now, the La Masia graduate is leading Spain to a medal at the Olympic games. Having already found the back of the net once in the tournament against the Dominican Republic, Fermin outdid himself against Japan today.

Brilliant. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images)

Indeed, the 21-year-old opened the scoring for La Roja just ten minutes into the contest, striking a stunning shot with his left foot from outside the box that the Japan goalkeeper failed to keep out despite getting a hand.

An hour later, in the second half, Fermin made it 2-0 in favour of Spain with another golazo, hitting a spectacular half-volley that swerved away from the goalkeeper and ended inside the back of the net.

A third goal from former Barcelona forward Abel Ruiz was the cherry on top as Spain made it through to the semi-finals.

With his two goals today, Fermin has taken his tally for club and country to 14 goals – 11 with Barcelona and three more with the Spanish Under-23 side at the Olympics.

It has been a memorable year for the La Masia gem and he will be hoping to cap it with a gold medal at the Paris Olympics.