Brazil earn hard-fought 1-0 win over Spain in women's World Cup

A sole goal from Andressa Alves just before the break earned Brazil a 1-0 win over Spain in a group E match and a berth in the Round 16 at the Women's World Cup here on Saturday.

An 89th-minute equalizer from Karla Villalobos saved Costa Rica as they drew 2-2 with South Korea and kept the hopes alive to advance.

Brazil have two wins to top the group, with the top two teams of each group and the best four 3rd-placing teams advancing into the knock-out round.

Neither teams could control the middle field while Brazil had more opportunities to score in the first half, but all efforts fell short until Alves' goal on the 44th minute.

Chasing a dirent pass in the middle, Alves tapped the ball before the charging goal-keeper Ainhoa Tirapu. Defender Celia Jimenez saved the ball inches in front of the goal line, but Alves followed up and slotted the ball into the open net.

Spain showed no sign of fall-back as they kept pressure in the middle field in the second half, and their best chances came in the injury time when Veronica Boquete's shot hit the goalie and was cleared by Brazil's defenc.

Collecting only one point after two matches, Spain still have chance to advance if they beat South Korea in the last round of the group stage.

It was Costa Rica who took the lead first when Melissa Herrera's shot clearly crossed the goal line after 17 minutes.

Four minutes later Ji Soyun tied it on 1-1 with a penalty kick and Jeon Gaeul put South Koreans ahead with a header another four minutes later.

The score seemed to be 2-1 and South Korea were just one step to pocket three points after both teams wasted tons of chances to score.

Villalobs stepped out for Costa Rica as she chested down a long pass in the penalty area and beat South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jungmi.

The result leaves Costa Rica second with two points, South Korea and Spain one apiece. Endi