Malcom was introduced as a substitute at the start of extra time with the score level at 1-1, after Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal cancelled out Matheus Cunha’s first half opener.

The 24-year-old’s fresh legs proved the difference in the additional period, with the forward freed on the left wing after a Spanish corner was cleared.

Malcom sprinted to reach the ball before the last defender, as he closed in on Spain’s goal.

His low effort struck the leg of Unai Simon, but the Spanish goalkeeper could only watch as the ball bounced up into the roof of his net.

Spain still had time to respond to the 108^th minute effort, but the blow proved too much for a tiring team who had already played two periods of extra time in their quarter and semi-final ties.

Brazil held on to secure a 2-1 victory to add Olympic gold to the fifth FIFA World Cup triumph that was secured in the same venue back in 2002.

The full-time whistle prompted emotional scenes which centred around 38-year-old veteran full back Dani Alves, one of their three overage players for the under-24 tournament.

The men’s Olympic football gold had eluded Brazil until Rio 2016, but they have now become the fifth team to successfully defend the title, after Uruguay, Britain, Hungary, the Soviet Union and arch-rivals Argentina.

The final could have swung either way, with Brazil ending the first half of the contest with the advantage.

Cunha capitalised on poor Spanish defending from a cross to fire a close range effort into the bottom corner in first half stoppage time.

The strike proved the perfect response to a missed penalty by tournament top scorer Richarlison, who blazed wildly over the bar after goalkeeper Simon was penalised for a foul on Cunha following a Video Assistant Referee review.

Spain responded by bringing on winger Bryan Gil at half-time and he played a role in their equaliser on the hour mark.

The 20-year-old released Carlos Soler down the right wing, with his cross fired powerfully into the net first time by Oyarzabal.

Spain went close to winning the match in the dying minutes of the contest.

Oscar Gil’s overhit cross flicked off the crossbar, with the woodwork rattling again moments later as Bryan was denied an 87^th minute winner with a left-footed effort from outside the box.

Another substitute would have the final word on the match with Malcom providing the winning goal in extra time.

Mexico were confirmed as the bronze medallists yesterday, as they ended the podium dreams of hosts Japan.

A penalty from Sebastian Cordova and effort from defender Johan Vasquez gave Mexico a 2-0 cushion at half-time.

Alexis Vega added a third in the 58^th minute, with a late strike from substitute Karou Mitoma proving only a consolation for Japan.