Champions US book last eight spot

Heather O'Reilly opened the scoring for the US

The United States women's football team booked a quarter-final place with a 4-0 win over New Zealand as they try to defend their Olympic title.

Norway, who beat the US 2-0 last week, went down to a surprise 5-1 defeat by Japan and face a tough last-eight tie against 2004 silver medallists Brazil.

World Cup winners Germany will play Sweden, while hosts China and Japan will contest the final quarter-final.

All four matches will be played on Friday 15 August.

Faced with a must-win fixture, the US produced an assured performance to outclass their southern hemisphere opponents and top table Group G.

Heather O'Reilly opened the scoring in the first minute, with Amy Rodriguez doubling their lead before half time.

Lindsay Tarpley and Angela Hucles rounded off the scoring to give the Americans a confidence-boosting result ahead of the quarter-finals.

Norway - who had qualified for the last eight on Saturday - were soundly thrashed by Japan as Yukari Kinga, Shinobu Ohno, Homare Sawa, Ayumi Hara all hit the net, along with an own goal from Gunhild Foelstad.

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Day four highlights

A superb first-half hat-trick from striker Cristiane earned Brazil a 3-1 win over Nigeria, a result which propelled the South Americans to the top of Group F on goal difference.

Germany were made to work hard for their 1-0 by North Korea, with Anja Mittag scoring four minutes from full time.

China topped Group E courtesy of a 2-0 win over Argentina, while Sweden beat Canada 2-1 in the group's other match.