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Japan vs Great Britain LIVE: Tokyo 2020 final score, result and reaction as Team GB reach quarter-finals

The second match of the group stage for Team GB as they continue their search for medals

Karl Matchett
Saturday 24 July 2021 14:17 BST
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(Getty Images)

Great Britain are through to the knockout stages of the Olympics women’s football competition with a game to spare after a 1-0 victory over hosts Japan. It was a professional display in a contest they bossed, though not with outright control. Similar to their 2-0 victory over Chile, they won the most important passages and, again, it was Ellen White’s name on the scoresheet. That her three goals in two games have come from just five shots says as much about her effectiveness in front of goal as it does of how Team GB have not quite been at their creative best. Nevertheless, the first part of the job is done.

For Japan, their hopes of automatic qualification take a hit, especially after Canada beat Chile earlier in the day to move to four points, with a cushion of three in second. However, they can still make it through if they defeat the South Americans on Tuesday to move to four points and, thus, qualify as the best two of the three third-place sides.

Follow all the latest updates from the Olympics and the reaction from Japan against Great Britain here:

Tokyo 2020: Japan’s iconic gymnast Kohei Uchimura exits in qualifying

“King Kōhei – probably the greatest male gymnast of all time and perhaps Japan’s most iconic sportsperson – was supposed to get his fairytale ending.

The absence of adoring fans, entranced by his balletic brilliance and roaring him on one last time at a home Olympic Games, seemed cruel but a high bar gold would make up for that.

Instead, an audible gasp went round the Ariake Gymnastics Centre as Uchimura, not only unbeatable but seemingly infallible for so long, fell in qualifying – his grip on the high bar failing him and the crash mat providing physical, if not emotional, solace.”

Kohei Uchimura’s grip slips as Japan’s King denied glorious swansong

The King, 32, slipped to end his hopes of a high bar gold to crown a legendary career

Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:46

Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain

Change for Japan, Shiokoshi replaced by Momiki. 14 goals at international level for the incoming 25-year-old, so one to watch for Team GB’s defenders.

It’s in attack they are focusing right now though with a corner which Little swings in - Houghton seems to be nudged off the ball in the middle but again there’s no hint of a penalty. The next corner is driven to the edge of the box but Bronze’s header is cleared.

Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:43

Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain

Second half underway!

Can Team GB pick up the intensity and find the breakthrough after the restart? They are certainly on the front foot early on in this half, but Hege Riise will hope they can trouble Yamashita an awful lot more in this 45 minutes.

There’s a strong bench to call upon, if required.

Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:32

Tokyo 2020: Great Britain beat South Africa in hockey

A 3-1 victory for Team GB in the men’s hockey, Liam Ansell inspiring them past South Africa to make a winning start to their Olympic campaign.

Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:28

Tokyo 2020: Day 1 round-up of the Olympics

Olympics Day 1 round-up so far: Catch up on everything that has been happening including Andy Murray’s victory in his doubles match, Max Whitlock into the final and Geraint Thomas crashing out of the cycling road race event as Richard Carapaz takes the gold.

Olympics Day 1 round-up: Andy Murray victory, Max Whitlock into final and Geraint Thomas crashes out

The Tokyo Olympics has finally kicked off, a year after it was supposed to take place in 2020.On the first day of action Max Whitlock safely negotiated the nerve-racking qualification process at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre on the day one of his sport’s biggest stars bowed out. Andy Murray reached the second round of the men’s doubles with a 6-3, 6-2 victory alongside Joe Salisbury over Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut.And Geraint Thomas crashed out of the men’s road race in an unfortunate start.

Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:25

Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain

HALF TIME

There goes the whistle and we’re all square in Sapporo.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:17

Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain

Closing minutes of the first half. Japan continue to repel Great Britain as Hege Riise’s side search for the breakthrough.

Little tries to make a diagonal run through to the edge of the box but she can’t quite latch onto Bronze’s forward pass.

Plenty of encouragement coming from the sidelines, but no way through as yet.

Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:15

Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain

Hayashi goes into the book for Japan. Hasegawa then tries her luck from range, but it’s swiped off-target and no trouble for Roebuck.

Around ten minutes to the break; Hege Riise will be looking for a lot more movement going forward from her team - neither keeper has really been troubled so far.

Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:06

Tokyo 2020: Great Britain’s hockey side lead South Africa

All looking good for Team GB in the hockey as a third goes in. Almost an hour on the clock.

Karl Matchett24 July 2021 12:03

Tokyo 2020: Japan 0-0 Great Britain

Bit of confusion in the Team GB defence and Tanaka almost pounces. The effort is off-target and it’s a bit of a let-off.

This is a better spell from the host nation, half an hour into the match. Still goalless, but it’s an intriguing tactical battle as both teams focus so far on defensive shape more than creativity and attacking intensity.

Karl Matchett24 July 2021 11:59

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