Japan made a claim to favorite status at the 2024 Paris Olympics with another win, this time a decisive 3-1 triumph over Nigeria on the final day of group play in France.
Spain, the United States and hosts France will all make similar claims — Spain also won early Wednesday — as this tournament appears wide-open heading into the knockout rounds.
The Yanks held off a late surge from Australia but still controlled the Matilads to win Group B, while Germany topped Zambia and will reach the knockout rounds.
And Canada — remember them? They will be defending their gold medal after overcoming its drone scandal-inspired six-point deduction with three-straight group stage wins.
Here are the match-ups for Saturday's quarterfinal round:
All times ET
9 a.m.
United States vs Japan
11 a.m.
Spain vs Colombia
1 p.m.
Canada vs Germany
3 p.m.
France vs Brazil
Brazil vs Spain
The result wasn't surprising but the story of the game was a stunner, as the best player of the 21st century was sent off from what could be the final game of her illustrious international career.
Brazil star Marta, the 38-year-old six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, was shown a red card just after halftime for a high challenge to beat Spain's Olga to a high ball outside the Brazilian 18-yard box.
The distraught star left the pitch in tears, as she had already announced the Olympics would be her final senior tournament for Brazil and the red card carries a two-match ban.
That means Marta won't play again this tournament should Brazil bow out by the end of the day or in the quarterfinals. If Brazil win a quarterfinal match, she'd return for the gold-medal or bronze-medal match.
Spain moved to 3-0 with the win, as Athenea del Castillo scored in the 68th minute and Alexia Putellas struck off a free kick late in a remarkable 16 minutes of stoppage time. The World Cup champions will meet Colombia, the third-place team from Group A, in the quarterfinal round on Saturday. -- Nick Mendola
Japan vs Nigeria
Japan continued its impressive run at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a 3-1 win over Nigeria to seal its spot in the quarterfinals.
Although Nigeria owned much of the ball throughout the match, Japan took advantage of its quick pace on the wings and through the middle to be lethal on the counterattack. Pair that up with a superb free-kick scored by Hikaru Kitagawa, the Asian country did more than enough to secure second place in Group C.
As for Nigeria, the loss meant it was the end of its run at the Paris Games, failing to collect any points in its Olympic journey.
Japan will play the U.S. in the quarterfinals. Given the opposition left in the tournament, the Japanese women will need to make the most of its counterattacking play to make a deep run in the knockout rounds. -- Leo Santos
Germany vs Zambia
Lea Schuller bagged a brace and Klara Buhl recorded a goal and an assist as Germany's 4-1 win over Zambia on Wednesday continued to display Group B as the most dynamic of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Elisa Senss rounded out the scoring for Germany, while Barbra Banda (who else?) scored Zambia's goal.
Buhl set up Lea Schuller's 10th-minute goal then added hers just after halftime, as Germany sealed its knockout round status as runners-up to the USWNT.
Banda scored her 10th Olympic goal for Zambia shortly after Buhl made it 2-0, as Zambia continued to fire forward in search of goals but Schuller restored the two-goal margin just 11 minutes later.
Only one match of the six Group B affairs included less than three goals, and only twice was a team shut out. Zambia exits with zero points and six goals scored in three matches. -- Nick Mendola
Australia vs United States
The U.S. women’s national team is still perfect at the 2024 Paris Olympics thanks to a 2-1 win against Australia in both teams’ group stage finale.
It was a nervy last 10 minutes for the Americans as the Matildas were able to score in stoppage time through Alanna Kennedy after Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert scored on either side of halftime to give the Yanks a two-goal lead.. The U.S. was able to hold Australia off and secure all three points.
The four-time gold medalists will not be able to score four goals every match, nor will things always go their way, but what the team displayed against Australia shows they are able to see out games and get the job done. -- Leo Santos
Canada vs Colombia
Against the odds amid a drone scandal, Canada was able to dig deep and find its way to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics after defeating Colombia 1-0.
It was a tough ask for Canada, who was deducted six points from the scandal, to win all of its group-stage matches and get the opportunity to continue in the tournament, but the North Americans did exactly that.
It wasn’t the most entertaining of matches, but Canada was able to squeeze in the only goal of the game after Vanessa Gilles headed in a Jessie Fleming free kick in the 61st minute.
It was an even match as both teams had almost the same amount of possession and created chances.
Both sides will extend their stay in France after qualifying for the next round. Canada will take on Germany, while Colombia will have its hands full against reigning World Cup champions Spain. Both matches will be played on Saturday, Aug. 3. -- Leo Santos
France vs New Zealand
Marie-Antoinette Katoto continued her remarkable Olympics on home soil with a brace in France's 2-1 win over New Zealand at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday.
Katoto scored in each half to give her five goals in three matches as France overcame a late first-half goal from the Kiwis' Kate Taylor to advance as the top seed from Group A.
The French had 62% possession and out-attempted New Zealand 17-4. They get Marta-less Brazil in the quarterfinals-- Nick Mendola