GB women into quarter-finals with big win over USA

Great Britain secured a spot in the quarter-finals of the Olympic women’s hockey competition with a 5-2 win over the United States.

Their victory, combined with South Africa’s 1-0 defeat by Spain, ensures they will finish in the top four in Pool B and progress to the knockout stages.

Sophie Hamilton put GB ahead early on, emerging through a crowd of opposition players to dink over USA keeper Miriam Pritchard.

But Abigail Tamer swiftly equalised before the Americans exerted further pressure from a series of penalty corners.

GB retook the lead in the second quarter via two goals from Tess Howard, before Tamer pulled one back just before the half-time break.

Great Britain took control of the match after the interval, as Hannah French and Sarah Jones struck within four minutes of each other, and GB closed out a goalless final quarter to take the win.

Having lost their first two pool matches, Hollie Pearne-Webb’s side have now won back-to-back matches, having beaten South Africa on Wednesday.

They will play Argentina in their final group match on Saturday, before the quarter-finals begin on Monday.

GB have won a medal at the past three Olympics, including a memorable gold in Rio eight years ago, in between bronzes in London and Tokyo.

Both the USA and South Africa are now out, with Spain, Australia and Argentina also advancing from Pool B alongside Great Britain.