Defending champion United States edged Japan 1-0 to revive its chances of a third Olympic gold medal in women's football on Saturday, and World Cup champion Germany beat Nigeria 1-0 to move closer to a title it has never won.
Beaten 2-0 by 2000 Olympic champion Norway in their opening game Wednesday, the Americans were last in Group G and could afford no slip-ups against the Japanese in Qinhuangdao.
After goalkeeper Hope Solo had tipped a dipping shot from Homare Sawa over the crossbar, the Americans went ahead in the 27th minute when Carli Lloyd met a left-wing cross with a powerful shot into the roof of the net from just outside the box.
Japan goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto defied the U.S. team, the 1996 and 2004 Olympic champions, with a series of saves before Amy Rodriguez shot across the face of goal in the 81st minute. The U.S. now has three points from two games in Group G and Japan has one after a 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
"I am very happy about our performance today against, I would say, a technical and good Japan," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "I think the more minutes we get together in the Olympics ... the better it is, so we will improve our game from one game to another."
In the other Group G game, Melissa Wiik's eighth-minute goal was enough for Norway to beat New Zealand 1-0 and put her team into the quarterfinals with six points from two victories.
In Shenyang, Germany defender Kerstin Stegemann turned home a cross from Anja Mittag in the 64th minute to score.
Cynthia Uwak had wasted a great chance to shock the Germans just before halftime when she dribbled past two defenders but lost control before she could shoot, allowing goalkeeper Nadine Angerer to race off the line and save at her feet. Angerer also pushed away a shot from Perpetua Nkwocha.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game," Germany coach Silvia Neid said. "We had to fight our way into the game and it took us a little time to adjust to our opponent."
After a 0-0 draw with World Cup runner-up Brazil, the Germans now have four points with no goals conceded and Nigeria is virtually eliminated with no points from two games in Group F.
Two-time FIFA player of the year Marta and Daniela scored in the first 22 minutes for Brazil in a 2-1 victory over North Korea in the other Group F match. Brazil also has four points and the Koreans have three after beating Nigeria 1-0 on Wednesday.
"We had to make some adjustments because they started the game pressuring us. They have a very good team and created difficulties," Brazil coach Jorge Barcellos said. "It was important to get the goals when we had the chance."
China and Canada stayed neck and neck at the top of Group E after a 1-1 draw in Tianjin. Christine Sinclair put the Canadians ahead in the 34th minute, but Yu Yuan equalized two minutes later for her second goal of the competition. Both teams now have four points.
"Normally with four points, we would hope to get out of the group," said China coach Shang Ruihua, whose team next plays Argentina in Qinhuangdao. "Argentina is developing fast, but we'll do our best."
Nilla Fischer's 57th-minute goal gave Sweden a 1-0 victory over Argentina to keep her team's hopes alive and all but knock out the South Americans. The Swedes, which had lost 2-1 to China on Wednesday, now have three points.
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