Japan advanced to the women’s soccer quarterfinals of the Paris Olympic Games after beating Nigeria 3-1 in their last group match on Wednesday.
Japan went 1-0 up in the 22nd minute when Maika Hamano scored on Riko Ueki’s assist. Ten minutes later, Japanese striker Mina Tanaka made it 2-0.
Jennifer Echegini pulled one back for Nigeria in the 42nd minute, before Japanese defender Hikaru Kitagawa sealed the win with a direct free kick in the stoppage time of the first half.
With the win, Japan finished second in Group C with six points. Spain, who beat Brazil 2-0, kept a perfect record of three wins to finish top of the group.
The women’s soccer teams were divided into three groups, with the top two group finishers alongside the two best third group finishers qualifying for the quarterfinals.
