Olympic Soccer: Nigeria controversially beat the United States 2-1 to reach the Olympic Games quarter-finals today despite a performance which prompted coach Samson Siasia to criticise them for ball-hogging.
Ivory Coast and Cameroon completed a good night for Africa as they also advanced, Salomon Kalou giving the Ivorians a 1-0 win over Australia and a goalless draw with Italy proving sufficient for Cameroon.
Nigeria, who face the Ivorians in the last eight, failed to impress Siasia, who publicly berated his players for indiscipline and said transfers to European clubs had gone to their heads.
"When these players go to Europe, they change. They come back here and think that we cannot do without them," said Siasia, who left Chelsea's John Obi Mikel out of the Olympic squad for lack of commitment.
"They mustn't be ball hogs. Football is not a show game, it is business.
"A good team has to play to instructions. Football is made for 11 players, not just individuals.
The game swung Nigeria's way in the third minute when U.S. defender Michael Orozco was sent off for elbowing Solomon Okoronkwo, who tumbled over despite only minimal contact.
"There was a big scene from the Nigeria players," complained U.S. coach Peter Nowak, whose side were also missing Freddy Adu through suspension.
Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi skipped down the left and laid the ball off for Promise Isaac to put Nigeria ahead in the 39th minute and substitute Victor Obinna fired in the second in the 79th.
Needing a draw to go through, the U.S. sprang to life at the death.
Sacha Kljestan pulled one back with a penalty before Charlie Davies headed against the crossbar and had another effort saved by Ambruse Vanzekin.
South American pair Brazil and Argentina, who like Italy had already qualified, completed the group stage with 100 percent records.
Argentina, who rested most of their top players including Lionel Messi, beat Serbia 2-0 despite a remarkable double-penalty miss by Angel Di Maria in the second half.
His first effort was saved by Serbia goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, who was judged to have moved, and the re-taken kick was stopped as well.
The defending champions' goals came from an Ezequiel Lavezzi penalty in the 13th minute and late free kick from Diego Buonanotte, the smallest player in the tournament at 1.60 metres.
Brazil's Thiago Neves scored twice in four minutes in the second half to complete a 3-0 win after Diego had given them the lead in the 18th minute.
Belgium and their neighbours the Netherlands completed the line-up with 1-0 wins over New Zealand and Japan respectively.