Brazil are also into the last eight as, inspired by a near 60,000 capacity crowd at the Rio Olympic Stadium and two goals from five-time world player of the year Marta, they thrashed Sweden 5-1.
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A goal from captain Carli Lloyd gave the US women’s soccer team a barely deserved 1-0 win over France on Saturday, while hosts Brazil delivered an impressive 5-1 win over Sweden.
Three first-half goals from Cristiane, Beatriz and Marta set the Rio 2016 hosts on their way, before the latter pair doubled their tallies for the evening in the second half, with Lotta Schelin grabbing a late consolation.
Brazil’s comprehensive victory against the team ranked sixth in the world surely puts the rest of the teams in the Olympic women’s soccer field on alert.
USA goalie Hope Solo, in her 200th worldwide match, was once again roundly booed by the crowd because of her comments on the Zika virus.
Just before halftime, Brazil scored another goal. New Zealand beat Colombia 1-0.
“Initially the pressure was all about performing well and promoting women’s football”, said Brazil coach Vadao.
Brazil – who beat China 3-0 in their first game – opened the scoring through Beatriz after 21 minutes when she ran through on goal, outmuscled a defender and poked the ball home.
Marta got the third from the penalty spot just seconds before half time and then scored Brazil’s fourth with 10 minutes remaining when she slotted home from eight yards after playing a fortunate one-two off a Swedish defender.
Tan Ruyin scored with a sensational dipping drive from over 40 yards out as China moved into second in Group E with a 2-0 win over South Africa. Cristiane’s goal was her 14th career goal at the Olympics, the most of all time.
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However, Sara Daebritz pulled a goal back immediately and Saskia Bartusiak snatched a point two minutes from time. Germany sit in second place with four points after coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Australia in front of 37,000 fans in Sao Paulo.
