Canada's gold-medal defence continues

Reigning gold medalists Canada, who named defenders Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence in their starting XI, will contest the quarter-finals thanks to a 1-0 win in Nice over Colombia, who were missing Blues forward Mayra Ramirez due to suspension.

The Canadians have overcome a six-point deduction and finished second in Group A with three points - despite winning all three matches - to reach the knockout stages where they will face Sjoeke Nusken's Germany.

Despite losing to Canada in their final group match, Colombia have made history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time at an Olympics, finishing the group with three points and as one of the best third-place teams. They will face reigning world champions Spain in their last eight clash.

Sandy Baltimore made her first start at the Olympics, while Eve Perisset came off the bench late on in France's 2-1 win over New Zealand in Lyon, which confirmed their place in the quarter-finals as winners of Group A.

The Olympic hosts took the lead through Marie-Antoinette Katoto in the 22nd minute, with our new summer signing Baltimore assisting the forward with a tremendous cross after some neat footwork saw the winger work her way into a dangerous area.

It was all level two minutes before the interval as Kate Taylor scored New Zealand's equaliser with a strike from outside the box, but another goal from Katoto in the 49th minute saw France claim a 2-1 win. Up next for the French is Brazil in the last eight.

Quarter-final place secured for Germany

Nusken made it three starts in three games, playing 89 minutes, for Germany as they progressed to the last eight as Group B runners-up after beating Zambia 4-1 in Saint-Etienne.

Our midfielder played her part in the opening goal in the 10th minute as she won a loose ball back in midfield and found Katherine Buhl, who played it through to goal scorer Lea Schuller.

The Blue registered an assist for Germany's second goal two minutes after half-time, again linking up with Buhl. Nusken played a composed pass to her teammate, before Buhl hit a strike into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Barbra Banda made it 2-1 in the 49th minute, but Schuller scored her second of the evening to restore Germany's two-goal advantage and made it 3-1 just after the hour mark. It finished 4-1 with substitute Elisa Senß, who replaced Nusken, netting in the seventh minute of injury time.

Hamano scores as Japan progress

Maika Hamano and Japan have reached the quarter-finals - where they will play Emma Hayes' USA - after beating Nigeria 3-1 in Nantes in their final match in Group C.

Starting her second game of the Olympics, Hamano scored her first goal of the tournament as she gave Japan the lead in the 22nd minute.

A through pass split the Nigerian defence and found Riko Ueki as she burst into the box. She squared the ball across the face of goal to tee the Blues forward up with a finish only a few yards out.

It was 2-0 ten minutes later through a Mina Tanaka header, but a powerful Jennifer Echegini strike halved Japan's advantage to one just before half-time. However, Hamano's side would go into the break with a two-goal lead after Hikaru Kitagawa found the back of the net direct from a free-kick.

Up next is the quarter-finals on Saturday, 3 August - and these are the fixtures involving the Blues:

USA v Japan - 2pm KO

Spain v Colombia - 4pm KO

Canada v Germany - 6pm KO

France v Brazil - 8pm KO

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