Olympic Soccer Scores 2012: Full Results and Recap from Day 5

With the women's group stage completed, the Olympic football tournament heads to the knockout stage.

There were plenty of fireworks on the final day, and a third of the field was eliminated. Some of the matches were a little more entertaining than others, but they all set the table for an exciting race for the gold.

For Day 5, some women did themselves proud, and others will simply be shaking their heads. Regardless, it's been an entertaining competition so far, and it will only get better.

Japan 0 Republic of South Africa 0

This was probably the most dull match of the day.

Japan seemed content without scoring a goal, and South Africa was just working to keep the Japanese in front of them. The World Cup winners possessed well today, but they lacked very many chances. Regardless, they advanced and avoided any disaster.

Japan vs. Brazil (Aug. 3)

Republic of South Africa - Done (1 point)

Canada 2 Sweden 2

Canada went down two goals after only 16 minutes, and their tournament seemed to be slipping away from them.

Then Melissa Tancredi put in a legendary performance, recording a brace and putting Canada into the quarterfinals. The draw was well-earned, and Canada could've just lit a fire under Sweden.

The Swedes won the group, but they can't afford to waste another two-goal lead in this tournament. This draw could help them make a run for the gold. Either way, both of these teams should be feared in the quarterfinals.

Canada vs. Great Britain (Aug. 3)

Sweden vs. France (Aug. 3)

United States 1 Korea DPR 0

Abby Wambach's 25th minute header sent Korea DPR packing.

The United States didn't need to win the match, but they played hard and remained perfect. After such a disappointment in last year's World Cup final, the Americans seem to be locked in on the gold medal. They are playing well, and they will be a tough team to beat.

As for Korea, their tournament ended abruptly after a promising 2-0 win in their first match. They were smoked by France, 5-0, and they couldn't get the point they desperately needed.

United States vs. New Zealand (Aug. 3)

Korea DPR - Done (3 points)

France 1 Colombia 0

Elodie Thomas ensured France would advance right away.

The former super-sub started the match, and she scored within five minutes to put France in the driver's seat. Although they let up a little in the second half, this match was never really in doubt. The French attack has been humming for the last three halves, and they will be very tough in the knockout stages.

As for Colombia, they had a tournament to forget. They didn't score a goal, and they didn't look competitive at all.

France vs. Sweden (Aug. 3)

Colombia - Done (0 points)

New Zealand 3 Cameroon 1

There was a good deal of history made in this match.

New Zealand advanced to its first-ever knockout stage of a FIFA tournament. The women placed third in Group E, but their goal difference helped them advance. They needed to win today, and they accomplished their goal.

Meanwhile, Cameroon took solace in the fact that they scored their first-ever Olympic goal. Sure, it was in the 75th minute when their fate was already sealed, but it was still a great moment for women's football in the African country.

New Zealand vs. United States (Aug. 3)

Cameroon - Done (0 points)

Great Britain 1 Brazil 0

Stephanie Houghton's second minute goal pushed Great Britain past Brazil and to the top of Group E.

The hosts played extremely well at Wembley, and they used the 70,000-plus fans to overtake the group favorites. Brazil didn't look good in the first half, and they didn't have enough time on the clock once they tried to turn it on in the second.

Once again, Brazil seemingly underachieved. After winning their first two matches by a combined score of 6-0, they couldn't find the net and fell short. Great Britain certainly deserves some credit, but this isn't the first time Brazil has fallen short in a major tournament.

Nevertheless, both of these teams advanced and will try to capture a medal.

Great Britain vs. Canada (Aug. 3)

Brazil vs. Japan (Aug. 3)