Olympics: Britain, France, Canada and NZ join powerhouses Japan and USA in last eight

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Great Britain enjoyed their finest result in their brief history as a women's football nation as they beat female soccer superpower Brazil 1-0 to advance into the Olympic quarter-finals on Tuesday.

In front of a crowd of more than 70,000 at London's Wembley Stadium, Stephanie Houghton who has now scored in all three matches this tournament, gave the hosts a dream start when, in the second minute, she rounded goalkeeper Andreia for what turned out to be the game's only goal.

"The whole day has just been fantastic," said Houghton. "It's unbelievable and amazing. I thought the goalkeeper would get there first, but I just hit it as fast as I could."

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Earlier, world champions Japan advanced into the last eight after a goalless draw with South Africa in Cardiff.

Striker Kozue Ando and midfielder Asuna Tanaka wasted the best chances for Japan, who are now set for a last eight clash with Brazil.

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Elsewhere defending champions the United States set up a last eight clash with New Zealand after a 1-0 win over North Korea.

Abby Wambach scored the only goal of the game in front of a crowd of nearly 30,000 at Old Trafford, the home of English giants Manchester United.

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France too reached the quarter-finals, where they will play Sweden, after Elodie Thomis's early goal provide decisive in a 1-0 win over Colombia.

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Canada went through to the last eight following a 2-2 draw with Sweden at St James' Park, the home ground of north-east English side Newcastle.

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New Zealand too will be in the knockout stage after a 3-1 Group E win over Cameroon in Coventry. The Kiwis got through, despite losing their first two matches, as one of the two best third-placed sides along with Canada.