π Olympics 2024: Canada reach quarter finals; hosts France march on
There were six fixtures taking place across the group stages of the womenβs Olympic Games on Wednesday.
Hereβs what went down.
Canada clinch knockout spot
Scorers: Gilles 61β²
Canada sealed their place in the quarter finals with a 1-0 win over Colombia.
Vanessa Gilles headed home shortly after the hour mark with a header from Jessie Flemingβs free kick to set up a clash with Germany.
The Canucks finish as Group A runners-up, having been deducted six points over the drone scandal which saw head coach Bev Priestman sent home.
Hosts France march on
Scorers: Taylor 43β²; Katoto 22β², 49β²
France advanced as Group A winners after seeing off New Zealand with a 2-1 win.
The host nation took an early first-half lead when Anna Leat failed to keep out Marie-Antoinette Katotoβs header from a Sandy Baltimore cross.
Kate Taylor drew the Football Ferns level shortly before half time with a half-volley from distance that was helped on by the inside of the post.
But Katoto restored Les Bleuesβ margin by swiping the ball home in the penalty area just four minutes after the interval in Lyon.
HervΓ© Renardβs side will now take on Brazil, who finished third in Group C despite their defeat to Spain.
USA end Australiaβs dream
Scorers: Kennedy 90+2β²; Rodman 43β², Albert 77β²
Australia faced a nervous wait on their Olympic dream after a 2-1 defeat to the USA in their Group B finale.
Trinity Rodman prodded home an opener for Emma Hayesβs side shortly before half time from a loose ball at a corner.
The Stars and Stripesβ lead was doubled in the closing stages as Korbin Albert scored her first international goal with a curling strike.
Alanna Kennedy notched a late consolation for the Matlidas deep in added time to halve their deficit and give them a faint hope of progressing.
Hayesβs side will now face Japan in Saturdayβs quarter-final clash at the Parc des Princes but Australia ultimately failed to progress.
Germany coast past Zambia
Scorers: Banda 50β²; SchΓΌller 10β², 61β², BΓΌhl 48β², Senss 90+7β²
Germany assured their place in the quarter finals with a 4-1 win over Zambia.
Lea SchΓΌller slotted home comfortably in the tenth minute as the Frauenteam consolidated their runner-up spot behind the USA.
Their advantage was extended early in the second half when Klara BΓΌhl swept home a swerving effort from outside the penalty area.
Zambia produced a near-instant response through Babra Banda taking advantage of Anna-Katrin Berger being caught off her line.
But SchΓΌller restored her countryβs two-goal lead by sweeping home from BΓΌhlβs cutback to the far post shortly after the hour mark.
Elisa Senss added a fourth late into the Saint-Γtienne encounter as Germany faced a short wait to discover Canada as their last eight opponents.
Marta sees red in Spain win
Scorers: Castillo 68β², Putellas 90+17β²
Sent off: Marta
Spain completed a perfect group campaign with their 2-0 win over 10-player Brazil.
A cagey opening 45 minutes exploded into life when Seleção captain Marta was sent off for a high-footed challenge on Olga Carmona.
La Rojaβs advantage was rewarded when Athenea del Castillo broke the deadlock midway through the second half with a close-range strike.
Alexia Putellas added insult to injury in the 17th minute of added time with a stunning effort from distance.
Montse TomΓ©βs side will face Colombia, who were the best-placed third team across Groups A and B while Brazil will face hosts France.
Japan set up USA showdown
Scorers: Hamano 22β², Tanaka 32β², Kitagawa 45+5β²; Echegini 42β²
Japan pipped Brazil to Group Cβs runner-up spot with a 3-1 win over Nigeria.
Maika Hamano opened the scoring midway through the first half by slotting home into an empty net from close range.
That was followed up just ten minutes later by Mina Tanakaβs header after the ball crashed back off the crossbar.
Onyi Echegini reduced the Super Falconsβ deficit shortly before half time with a superb strike from outside the penalty area.
But Japan restored their two-goal cushion deep in added time courtesy of Hikaru Kitagawaβs well-struck free kick.
The Nadeshiko are now set to face Group B winners USA in the quarter finals.