Posted on Jul 28
A late goal by Cristiane saw Brazil keep their bid for a first gold medal in women's Olympic football on track as they beat New Zealand 1-0 in Cardiff on Saturday.
Victory meant the Samba Queens, silver medallists at the last two Olympics, were through to the quarter-finals as they made it two wins out of two at London 2012 after thrashing Cameroon 5-0.
It looked as if this latest Group E fixture would end as a goalless draw until, four minutes from time, Cristiane struck.
New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon came off her line to punch clear but only knocked the ball to the edge of the box and Cristiane lobbed the ball into the net, despite desperate attempts by Kiwi defenders to head clear.
"New Zealand are a very good team, very organised," said Cristiane.
"Nobody said any of these matches at the Olympics were going to be easy.
Elsewhere Japan, bidding to add Olympic gold to the World Cup title they won last year, were held to a goalless draw by Sweden.
Both sides came into the Group F clash on the back of wins, with Japan having defeated Canada 2-1 and Sweden thrashing South Africa 4-1.
But goals proved elusive at the City of Coventry Stadium in the English Midlands and Japan captain Aya Miyama said: "We are not very happy. We want to get a gold medal and win all our matches so we are quite disappointed.".
But there was no lack of goals elsewhere with Great Britain, in their first Games women's football tournament, following up victory against New Zealand with a 3-0 win over Cameroon and reigning Olympic champions the United States defeating Colombia by the same score line.
Megan Rapinoe gave the US a first half lead before two goals in three minutes towards the end of the second period from Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd made the game safe for the Americans.
"Now we have officially qualified (for the quarter-finals) it feels good," said Rapinoe.
In Cardiff two goals in five minutes from captain Casey Stoney and Jill Scott put Great Britain 2-0 up before half-time against Cameroon.
Stephanie Houghton, who scored the winner against New Zealand, put the result beyond doubt with a third goal for the hosts eight minutes from time.
"I'm pleased with the result," said Great Britain coach Hope Powell. "I'm never really satisfied and there is always something to work on, and we should have scored seven tonight."
In Group F Canada proved too strong for South Africa, winning 3-0 thanks to two goals from captain Christine Sinclair and one from fellow forward Melissa Tancredi.
Meanwhile in Glasgow there was no repeat of the flag row which marred North Korea's opening win over Colombia, when official accidentally displayed the flag of South Korea on a giant screen at Hampden Park.
But this time North Korea lost 5-0 to France, who scored four goals inside the final 20 minutes.
Brazil's striker Cristiane (L) clashes with New Zealand's defender Katie Hoyle during their London 2012 Olympic Games women's football match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Brazil won 1-0.
Sweden's midfielder Kosovare Asllani (R) fights for the ball with Japan's midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi during their London 2012 Olympic women's football match at The City of Coventry Stadium in Coventry, central England.
Brazil's striker Cristiane (L) clashes with New Zealand's defender Katie Hoyle during their London 2012 Olympic Games women's football match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Brazil won 1-0.
Sweden's midfielder Kosovare Asllani (R) fights for the ball with Japan's midfielder Nahomi Kawasumi during their London 2012 Olympic women's football match at The City of Coventry Stadium in Coventry, central England.