The 12 nations that started the tournament were split into three groups of four teams each, labeled Groups E-G to avoid confusion with the men’s tournament Groups A-D. The top two finishers automatically received a berth into the quarters and the two best third-place teams (Japan and Australia) joined them to round out the elite group of eight.
How the women’s Olympic soccer group stage works
The four opponents in each group faced off in a classic round-robin format over three matchdays: July 21, July 24 and July 27, with teams earning three points for a win, one for a draw and none in the case of a loss.
WATCH: Women’s Olympic soccer matches on fuboTV
At the end of the final matchday on July 27, the final standings determined each team’s fate. If teams were even on points, predetermined tiebreakers were used one-by-one until all ties were broken, as detailed in the official tournament rules:
Superior goal difference in all group matches Most goals scored in all group matches Most points obtained in group matches between teams that are tied Superior goal difference in group matches between teams that are tied Most goals scored in all group matches between teams that are tied Best conduct score based on fewest cards received in all group matches Drawing of lots by FIFA
The two best third-place teams (Japan and Australia) were determined based on the same tie-breaking mechanisms, though tiebreakers Nos. 3-5 didn’t apply for obvious reasons.
MORE: The quirks of the Olympic soccer competition
Women’s Olympic soccer standings & schedule
The group standings and knockout round schedule follow below:
[PTS=Points, GP=Games Played, W=Wins, L=Losses, D=Draws, GF=Goals For, GA=Goals Against (Conceded), GD=Goal Difference]
Group E standings
X = advances to quarterfinals
Group E schedule
Group F standings
X = advances to quarterfinals
Group F schedule
Group G standings
X = advances to quarterfinals
