Juanlu Sanchez booked Spain a place in the final of the Olympic Games, securing a 2-1 comeback win over Morocco on Monday.

Soufiane Rahimi had given the Atlas Lions the lead with a penalty in the first half before Fermin Lopez restored parity in the second.

Fermin started brightly for Spain, testing Munir Mohamedi with a long-range strike before dragging an effort just wide of the far post after darting in behind.

Shortly after, Spain found themselves behind – Pablo Barrios caught Amir Richardson on the back of the calf with a high tackle in the box and Rahimi made no mistake from the spot to fire Morocco in front.

La Roja dominated the second half as they pushed for an equaliser, and Fermin clawed them level after jinking away from his marker to nestle his low shot into the bottom-right corner after 66 minutes.

Richardson almost restored Morocco's lead moments later, but his first-time effort swerved away from goal and wide of the near post, much to his frustration.

Substitute Sanchez then finished the comeback for Spain from a tight angle, with his shot bouncing in off the inside of the far post.

Abde Ezzalzouli and Richardson gave Arnau Tenas a late scare in goal with two powerful efforts, but luckily for the keeper, they could not find the target. 

Data Debrief: Fermin shines bright

Even in the first half when Spain struggled to make an impact, it felt like Fermin could prove to be the difference for La Roja, and he did just that.

At 21 years and 86 days, he is the youngest player to both score and assist in a men's Olympic tournament knockout round match since Neymar against Honduras in 2012 (20y 181d).

Santiago Sanchez will be hoping he can provide the spark once more in the showpiece game on Friday.