Star Sixes 2017 Results: Spain, England, Brazil Advance to Quarter-Finals

The semi-finals of the 2017 Star Sixes tournament are set, and hot picks Spain will face France at the O2 Arena, while South American frontrunners Brazil will take on Denmark for a place in Sunday's final.

Spain hammered Nigeria 8-1 on Saturday evening to move into the last four after topping Group A, and Group C runners-up France defeated Italy to take their spot in the semis opposite the runaway favourites.

England fell out of the reckoning despite Steven Gerrard's best efforts to keep them in the competition, scoring the Three Lions' only goal in a 3-1 defeat to Denmark, who were deserving of their semi-final place.

Elsewhere, Brazil advanced their campaign as the only non-European nation left in the competition thanks to a 3-1 win over Germany, perhaps seen as some small redemption for their 7-1 defeat at the 2014 World Cup.

The official Star Sixes Twitter account confirmed Sunday's semi-final lineup as the inaugural competition reaches its climax:

Quarter-Final Recap

Spain already outlined their position as serious title contenders by moving through the group stage with a 100 per cent record and as joint-highest scorers, but an 8-1 demolition of Nigeria reinforced just how talented their team is.

Jay Jay Okocha led the African representatives out with hopes of staging a surprise, but Michel Salgado's hat-trick extinguished any desire the Super Eagles might have had, netting his best of the match from long range:

A host of familiar faces bundled on the score sheet as Luis Garcia, Alfonso Perez, Carlos Marchena, Gaizka Mendieta and Joan Capdevila all contributed to Nigeria's downfall, although Salgado was the man of the moment.

Ex-Everton and Blackburn Rovers striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni bagged the only consolation for Nigeria, who fell victim to the team currently grabbing most attention as likely title challenger.

Brazil's meeting with Germany wasn't as prolific, but the Samba Boys were swiftly steered on the right path after former Arsenal general Gilberto Silva followed up Julio Baptista's smart opener with a delicate finish of his own:

German journeyman and ex-Crystal Palace wide man Marco Reich cut the deficit down to a single goal with a well-taken volley, but Amaral nudged Brazil into the semis after letting loose a powerful finish just inside halfway.

Hosts England will have hoped to show more mettle on home soil than was exhibited during their own 3-1 defeat, this time to Denmark, which started in poor fashion thanks to a Chris Sorensen thunderbolt:

Not content with one golazo, however, the Danes proceeded to play their way around the English in a manner that would have made most current professional jealous, making it 2-0 through Daniel Jensen:

Jensen was on the mark for a second time after England centurion Gerrard pulled one back, although Emile Heskey, Wes Brown and Phil Neville could only marvel at the side who proved themselves worthy of progressing:

The last quarter-final matched two group runners-up opposite one another, and France ultimately delivered the good by beating Italy 4-2, although the victory was by no means an easy one.

West Ham United favourite Paolo Di Canio had the honour of scoring the 100th goal of the tournament when he broke the deadlock, but a Robert Pires double quickly put Les Bleus into the lead.

Bruno Cheyrou was then in the right place at the right time to poke in for a 3-1 lead, but ex-Barcelona defender Eric Abidal showed a lack of awareness when he gifted Italy's Stefano Fiore the easiest goal he's likely to score: 

Italy's Luciano Zauri sought a free-kick when Olivier Dacourt's cross into the box deflected in off him for an own goal just before half-time, a controversial decision the Frenchman was accused of a foul in the buildup.

That strike appeared to drain Italy of all motivation for the second period considering there were no more goals after the break, but France may need swift improvement on this display if they're to surpass sparkling Spain.

Afternoon Recap

Brazil were rampant against Nigeria, with former Sevilla, Real Madrid and Arsenal star Baptista opening the scoring in typically emphatic style. The powerhouse forward worked space for the shot before rifling the ball home.

The decisive strike was relayed on the tournament's official Twitter account:

It was 2-0 when former Manchester City forward Elano tapped home from close range after a slick combination of passes in the final third. The goal was a testament to Brazil's quality on the ball.

Brazil's typical flair was best embodied by this moment of improvised brilliance from one-time Deportivo La Coruna maestro Djalminha:

Their passing and movement was too quick for Nigeria, who were made to pay when ex-Middlesbrough talisman Juninho swept in a stylish third goal to seal his nation's place in the last eight:

England were one up early thanks to an unfamiliar source. It was midfielder Lee Hendrie who drilled the Three Lions into the lead:

El Tri pulled one back courtesy of Braulio Luna before Murphy restored England's advantage. It was enough to put the hosts in the quarter-final.

Spain also turned on the style as they hit Scotland for six. There was an unlikely goal hero in the form of right-back Salgado.

Hardly known for finding the net during his days with Real Madrid and Blackburn Rovers, Salgado bagged a brace against the Scots. He got Spain started with this terrific strike:

It was Salgado who doubled Spain's advantage before Mendieta made it three. Then it was time for the Spanish to put on the kind of pass-and-move clinic their modern generation has become known for at international level.

Defender Marchena was the lucky recipient of an easy finish at the end of a rapid and precise exchange of passes:

Alfonso and Luis Garcia added goals to cap the scoring and send a message to the rest about Spain's quality.

Earlier there was another six-goal game, albeit a more competitive one, as Italy beat China 4-2.

Skipper Alessandro Del Piero opened the scoring for the Azzurri before Di Canio added a superb second:

China battled back valiantly and got one of the goals of the day:

However, Luciano Zauri scored twice to put the game beyond doubt for Italy.