Putellas puts Spain into quarters with 1-0 win over Nigeria, Japan strike late to beat Brazil

PARIS :Spain reached the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Nigeria in Nantes thanks to Alexia Putellas' late winner, while Brazil missed the chance to progress after a late 2-1 loss to Japan on the second matchday of women's Olympic football on Sunday.

The top two teams in each three groups advance, along with two best third-placed sides.

The world champions had to wait until the closing stages in their Group C clash to break the Nigerian wall with a wonder free-kick from former Ballon d'Or winner Putellas.

Putellas struck five minutes from time beyond the Nigerian goalkeeper and defenders, who until then had frustrated Montse Tome's side.

Brazil were leading after the break but conceded two stoppage time goals to Japan, who collected their first points in Group C courtesy of Saki Kumagai and Momoko Tanikawa.

Brazil's Jheniffer low shot opened the scoring in the 56th minute after a play created by six-time Olympian Marta, who left the pitch to a standing ovation in the 84th minute.

Japan, who had missed a penalty before halftime, levelled in stoppage time thanks to Kumagai's kick from the spot after a handball by Yasmim before substitute Tanikawa netted from long range after a misplaced pass by Rafaelle.

Australia and Colombia boosted their chances of making it to the next round with their first wins in the competition.

In a goal feast in Nice, the Matildas rallied from two goals down to clinch a stunning 6-5 win over Zambia in Group B, with the Matildas' Steph Catley and Zambia's Racheal Kundananji scoring doubles, while Barbara Banda netted a hat-trick, the third to her name for an Olympic record.

Colombia edged Group A rivals New Zealand 2-0 in Lyon thanks to Marcela Restrepo's volley and a goal from Leicy Santos.

The South