LONDON — Egypt joined Brazil in the quarter-finals of the men’s football tournament and will now face Japan after they swept Belarus aside 3-1.
Group C winners Brazil easily beat New Zealand 3-0 and will take on Honduras in the last eight. Oribe Peralta netted for Mexico as they defeated Switzerland 1-0 to top Group B ahead of South Korea. In Group D, Japan and Honduras went through after sharing a goalless draw, while Spain earned their first point.
They could not find a way past Morocco in their 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, despite squandering a host of chances and bow out of the tournament without scoring a goal. Adrian Lopez was most guilty when he duffed an attempted chip when clean through.
Neither South Korea nor Gabon could find the net at Wembley, but the point for the Koreans put them into the last eight ahead of Switzerland, who battled in vain against the Mexicans at the Millennium Stadium.
Earlier at St James’ Park, Brazil coasted to a 3-0 victory over New Zealand to top the group as Danilo and Leandro Damiao scored early on, before Sandro added a third after the break. The only sour note in another technical display by the Samba Boys was the dismissal of Alex Sandro, who received his second yellow card after 75 minutes.
Brazil retained their 100% record so far in the tournament and victory means they will stay in the north-east for their quarter-final tie against Honduras. Egypt will travel to Old Trafford to take on Japan after second-half goals from Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen and Mohamed Aboutrika gave Belarus little chance of qualifying in what was a Group C decider at Hampden Park.
Men’s quarter-final line-up lJapan v Egypt (Old Trafford) lMexico v Senegal (Wembley) lBrazil v Honduras (St James’ Park) lGB v South Korea (Millennium Stadium)
