Team GB have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games as Group A winners after recording a 1-0 win over Uruguay at the Millennium Stadium tonight.
A solitary Daniel Sturridge goal was enough to earn Stuart Pearce's side three points, top spot and a last-eight meeting with South Korea.
While the hosts passed the ball very well at times, the first half presented little in terms of goalmouth action, with Uruguay keeper Martin Campana able to foil both Scott Sinclair and Craig Bellamy's early efforts on goal.
For the South Americans, Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates came closest in the opening period, but his header went narrowly over the crossbar.
With the game still goalless heading into the break, Sturridge popped up to convert from six yards after a delightful turn and pass from Joe Allen in the box.
Team GB had to withstand a Uruguay backlash after the hour mark, with Luis Suarez proving a real threat.
A fine run from the striker saw him beat two men only to be denied by a fine stop from Jack Butland.
The young Birmingham City stopper was called into action again when he parried Suarez's shot across goal, and the ineffective Edison Cavani could not convert the rebound from a tight angle.
While they could not match their fine first-half display, GB were stubborn in defence in the latter stages, but also got some luck along the way.
Cavani was thwarted at the near post by a last-ditch Micah Richards block before Gaston Ramirez struck the bar with almost the final kick of the match.
GB face South Korea in their quarter-final clash on Saturday.
Joe Fish
