Germany came back in a manner in which only World Champions can as they put 10 goals past the Group C whipping boys Fiji. Brazil finally managed to silence the boos at home as they defeated Denmark in a must-win game. The win was sweeter for the five-time World Champions as Argentina suffered a shotgun exit from the group stages.
Colombia got their much needed win against Nigeria to progress. Iraq went out with their heads held high, picking up their third point from as many games.
Algeria 1- 1 Portugal (Group D)
Portugal advanced to the quarter-finals, finishing on top of their group after a 1-1 draw with Algeria, courtesy a penalty which Goncalo Paciencia duly converted in the 23rd minute. Algeria equalised five minutes later through Mohammed Benkablia, but Portugal held on to get the result it needed.
Argentina 1-1 Honduras (Group D)
One of the pre-tournament favourites, Argentina were eliminated after drawing 1-1 against Honduras in the last Group D encounter. Honduras went ahead in the 75th minute through a goal from Anothony Lozano. Mauricio Martinez got one back for Argentina in the dying minutes of the game, but the draw meant that Albiceleste finished their group in third place, while Honduras went through.
Germany 10-0 Fiji (Group C)
Maybe Fiji shouldn't have been here. Mexico and South Korea had plundered 13 goals collectively in the first two matches. Germany, meanwhile, had just about managed to stay alive in the competition with last-gasp equalisers against Mexico and Korea. But in this match, the result was put to bed just a few minutes into the game. Serge Gnarby yet again showed how good a player Arsenal have in their ranks.
Nils Petersen soon got on the scoresheet and the carnage continued. Max Meyer joined in, scoring a brace and Die Mannschaft were leading 6-0 at half-time. The match was down to mere statistics in the second half. Germany wanted to top the group. They failed, though, as Korea got their second win, defeating Mexico.
South Korea 1-0 Mexico (Group C)
Holders Mexico came in with lofty expectations but failed to get out of the group stages as Korea showed that it is finishing, not possession, that decides matches. Kwon Chang-Hoon had already attracted many suitors from German clubs before the start of the Olympics and he did his reputation no harm here by scoring the winner.
Mexico did dominate throughout, creating as many as 19 shots on target. Korea didn't even manage to get to a third as many. But it was Hoon's individual brilliance that sealed the tie as the Korean got past a couple of defenders and unleashed a brilliant shot into the top corner.
Colombia 2-0 Nigeria (Group B)
Nigeria had already qualified for the quarter-final after registering two wins from two games. So it might have been a case of complacency for the 1996 gold medal winners that led to led to this defeat. It was Colombia who were in a do-or-die situation.
Teofilo Guitierrez calmed Colombian nerves with an early strike. Nigeria's Oghenekaro Etebo was wasteful in front of goal yet again, missing a glorious chance to equalise before half-time. Dorlan Pabon ensured three points for Colombia with a second half penalty.
Japan 1-0 Sweden (Group B)
Shinya Yajima netted the winner as the Japanese outplayed the Swedes. The win would prove to be futile, though, as Colombia's victory against Nigeria meant Japan were out. Sweden were highly rated coming into the tournament, but they finished at the bottom of the pile in Group B and joined Argentina in that hell reserved for fancied teams that do not qualify.
Brazil 4-0 Denmark (Group A)
The hosts would have been deep in shame territory had they lost this one and failed to qualify for the quarters. Fortunately for Brazil, Gabriel Barbosa got two goals while Luan and Gabriel Jesus scored one each. Neymar & Co. had been subjected to vile taunts after two goalless draws. Nothing less than a win would have worked. Denmark also progressed to the next round, finishing second behind the hosts.
South Africa 1-1 Iraq (Group A)
Gift Motupa had scored an early goal to get the South Africans up and running. The spirited Iraqis were in no mood to buckle under pressure and Saad Luaibi's header levelled scores.
It was Iraq who took control of the match after this and Abdulraheem and Ali Adnan saw their efforts rattle off the post. In the second half, Abdulraheem hit the crossbar and the match headed for a draw. Both teams bowed out, but it is Iraq who leave with pride.
The quarter-final line-up
- Portugal vs Germany: 9.30 PM IST August 13
- Nigeria vs Denmark: 12.30 AM IST August 14
- South Korea vs Honduras: 3.30 AM IST August 14
- Brazil vs Colombia: 6.30 AM IST August 14