Brazil's women footballers outshine the men, enter quarter-finals with a swagger
Brazil are already through, along with USA and Canada. Seven other teams will battle it out for the five other places.
Star player Marta celebrates after scoring Brazil's fourth goal against Sweden (Photo: Getty Images/Buda Mendes)
While Brazil's male football stars have yet to score at Rio 2016, Brazil's women footballers have lit up the women's tournament, racking up eight goals following wins over the People's Republic of China (3-0) and Sweden (5-1) in Rio.
They should add a few more against an African team playing only for pride on Tuesday (9 August).
The Brazilian women will be taking their scintillating style of play to the Amazonia Arena looking to seal top spot in group E with a swagger against South Africa in Manaus.
In contrast, the men's team of Neymar and company have only managed two goalless draws against the lowly sides of South Africa and Iraq. Brazilian fans at Monday's dire draw against Iraq chanted the name of the women's side star player Marta to taunt their underperforming men's team.
Five-times World Payer of the Year Marta scored twice in the rout against Sweden. Across Brazil, Internet users have taken to social media to celebrate Marta's achievements and mock Neymar, the Barcelona-based star of the men's side.
As well as Brazil, holders USA and Canada have also already qualified for the quarter-finals ahead of the final round of games while seven teams are still in contention for the remaining five places.
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Sweden and China will battle it out in Brasilia for the right to automatically join Brazil in the knock-out stage, though either could also qualify as one of the two best third-placed teams.
New Zealand and France are in a similar situation in group G ahead of their game at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador while in Manaus the US face Colombia, who already know they are heading home.
Germany, the two-time world champions, can snatch top spot in group F when they face the Canadians at the Mané Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia.
Australia meet Zimbabwe, without a point, in Salvador fancying their chances of qualifying after the 2-2 draw with Germany.
At this stage of the competition, the Brazilian womens look best placed to claim the crown of reigning World and Olympic champions the USA.
