Germany and Brazil reach Olympic quarterfinals, Australia made to wait

PARIS - Germany thrashed Zambia 4-1 to clinch a spot in the women's Olympic soccer quarterfinals on Wednesday while Brazil also went through despite losing to Spain but Australia will have to wait and see after losing to already-qualified United States.

In the women's competition, the top two teams in each of the three groups advance, along with the two best third-placed sides.

Australia, who finished third in Group B, needed at least a draw to guarantee their spot in the knockout stage, but fell to a 2-1 defeat to four-times gold medallists U.S., who produced a dominant performance to finish the group stage with a perfect nine points.

The Matildas now need results to go their way in Group A later on Wednesday to advance as one of the best third-placed sides.

Germany finished second in Group B as they shook off a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of the U.S. to outclass Zambia in St Etienne with a brace from Lea Schueller and goals from Klara Buehl and Elisa Senss.

In Group C, Brazil lost 2-0 to Spain, who had already qualified and claimed their third straight win thanks to second-half goals from Alexia Putellas and Athenea del Castillo.

Brazil, who finished the group stage with three points, were reduced to 10 players seconds before halftime when captain Marta was shown a straight red card but they reached the next round as one of the best third-placed teams after Australia's defeat.

World Cup winners Spain topped the group ahead of Japan, who finished with six points following a 3-1 win over Nigeria in Nantes.

The U.S. went ahead against Australia thanks to Trinity Rodman's close-range finish following a corner in the 43rd minute. Substitute Korbin Albert made it 2-0 with a terrific shot in the 77th, before Australia pulled one back with a stoppage-time goal from Alanna Kennedy.

Germany went ahead 10 minutes in with Schueller's simple low finish before Bruhl doubled the advantage from long-range two minutes after the break.

Zambia reduced the deficit two minutes later as Barbra Banda profited from a blunder by the German goalkeeper to net her fourth goal in the tournament.

Shueller made it 3-0 in the 61st before Elisa Senss sealed the rout deep in stoppage-time.

Brazil's all-time leading scorer Marta, who announced she is retiring from international football this year, was in tears after a dangerous challenge on Spain's Olga Carmona earned her a red card in the final seconds of the first half.

Del Castillo dealt Brazil another blow, putting Spain ahead in the 68th minute before a superb strike from Putellas sealed the triumph.

Japan dominated Nigeria from the early stages and Chelsea's Maika Hamano opened the scoring in the 22nd minute and Mina Tanaka added another 10 minutes later from a rebound off the crossbar.

Jennifer Echegini pulled one back for the Super Falcons with a brilliant strike three minutes from halftime but Hikaru Kitagawa restored Japan's two-goal advantage with a superb free kick.

Japan will face the U.S. in the quarterfinals at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.

Canada, who had their appeal against a six-point deduction dismissed earlier in the day, face Colombia, while hosts France play New Zealand in Group A in the final group-stage matches later on Wednesday.

—Reuters