Brazil squeeze through to last eight

Baiano left, and Fabiano celebrate Brazil's vital victory

Brazil finally scraped through to the quarter-finals of the men's football tournament after a series of unconvincing qualifying performances.

They managed to recover from their stunning defeat by South Africa last Sunday by taking the lead against Japan and then clung on for all three points at the Brisbane Cricket Ground.

They needed a victory against the previously unbeaten Japanese to stop them travelling home prematurely and this eagerness was reflected in their attacking start.

In the fifth minute it paid off when when Alex outjumped two Japanese defenders to head in a cross by Marco Aurelio.

In stark contrast their 3-1 conquerors at the weekend South Africa blew their chance of going through when they were beaten 2-1 by Slovakia, who had already been eliminated.

Chile went through despite losing 1-0 to South Korea and will face defending champions Nigeria in Melbourne on Saturday. Brazil meet Cameroon in Brisbane; while the Japanese take on the United States at Adelaide.

Spain cantered to victory over last-place Morocco with strikes by AC Milan's Jose Mari in the 33rd minute and Barcelona's Gabri in the final minute.

That sets up an intriguing clash with Italy in the last eight at the Sydney Cricket Ground.