Riko Ueki was on the winning side as Japan reached the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with a 3-1 win over Nigeria.
At Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, Nadeshiko knew victory would see them progress – and they continued their impressive run of form in comprehensive fashion.
Ueki started in attack, having come off the bench in the 2-1 group stage win over Brazil, and provided an assist for the opener after 22 minutes when former Hammers Yui Hasegawa's through ball down the left found the forward, who squared the ball for Maika Hamano to tap home from close range.
Japan doubled their ten minutes later. Ueki’s header from Miyabi Moriya's cross cannoned back off the crossbar, but Mina Tanaka was on hand to slam home the rebound.
Nigeria reduced the deficit on 42 minutes as Jennifer Echegini capitalised on Rion Ishikawa’s mistimed clearance and drilled home following a neat one-two with Christy Ucheibe.
However, Futoshi Ikeda’s side restored their two goal-cushion on the day in style, with left wing-back Hikaru Kitagawa curling home a stunning free-kick from 25 yards.
Nadeshiko will next face record four-time gold medalists the United States, coached by former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes, in Paris on Saturday in a repeat of the 2012 London Olympic final, which was won by the USA.
In the later match of the day, Katrina Gorry played 59 minutes as Australia suffered their earliest exit from an Olympic Games since their debut in 2000, after losing 2-1 to the United States at Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, while their faint hopes of scraping into the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams ended when defending champions Canada beat Colombia 1-0.
USA found the breakthrough shortly before half-time when a corner from Rose Lavelle found Sophia Smith, who headed the ball toward the back post where Trinity Rodman slid in to prod home.
Korbin Albert doubled their lead on 77 minutes with a powerful right-footed strike from the edge of the box to ensure a perfect Group B campaign for Hayes’ side.
Alanna Kennedy netted a mere consolation for the Matildas in second stoppage-time from close-range after being set up by substitute Michelle Heyman.
