Germany through after thriller

Double salvo
Having beaten hosts Thailand 6-0 and Australia 4-0, Germany wasted little time in showing their class again in Suphachalasai, opening the scoring after four minutes as Patricia Hanebeck expertly volleyed in a sliced Karolin Thomas corner from the edge of the area. The second goal may have been simpler in its execution, but Anja Mittag still showed tremendous footwork to turn in her fourth goal of the competition from a tight angle.

Canadian comeback
Canada captain Kara Lang showed her frustration by felling Mittag 25 metres out in the 37th minute, and the Germany powerhouse got up to drill in a powerful free-kick to make it 3-0 to the Europeans. Canada may have been shell-shocked, but two brilliant goals before half-time gave them hope. Lang struck the first, a fierce free-kick, in the 40th minute before Veronique Maranda looked up and beat Tessa Rinkes with a swerving shot from a similar range three minutes later.

The equaliser
The Canadians drew level in the 63rd minute when Brittany Timko outstripped Nina Jokuschies and beat Rinkes from close to the by-line at her near post. Both teams pushed for a winner, but a draw sufficed for Germany who will now meet one of the best third-placed sides in the quarter-finals. Canada, meanwhile, tackle China after they lost 2-1 to Brazil, for whom Marta scored a sensational opening goal.

Italy out
Italy's slender hopes of reaching the knockout stages were ended earlier in the day by Nigeria, who moved on to four points to advance as one of the two best third-placed teams. Italy took the lead in controversial circumstances in the 70th minute when Raffaella Manieri's free-kick was helped over the line by Ogechi Onyinanya. However, the Nigerians were not to be denied as they progressed thanks to Akudo Sabi's leveller in the 88th minute as the captain fired in a free-kick off the bar.