Defending champions Canada will face Germany on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the Olympic women's football tournament, despite facing a points deduction over a spying scandal. Four-time gold medallists the United States and World Cup holders Spain are also set to compete in the last eight.

Canada's hopes for another gold seemed dashed when they were docked six points by FIFA as punishment for using a drone to spy on a New Zealand training session. Coach Bev Priestman received a one-year suspension. However, Canada managed to secure a 1-0 win over Colombia in Nice on Wednesday, achieving three wins out of three, even after their appeal against the points deduction was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Defender Vanessa Gilles, who scored the match-winner against France and Colombia, expressed the team's resilience: "We always knew that we could do it. The chances were stacked against us but we pulled through. We still believe the sanction was unfair, unjust, and unprecedented."

Canada will now face the 2016 gold medallists Germany in Marseille. Germany, led by coach Horst Hrubesch, advanced with wins against Australia and Zambia despite a 4-1 loss to the USA in the group stage.

The United States, aiming for a record-extending fifth women's football gold, will meet Japan in Paris in a repeat of the London 2012 final, which the USA won 2-1. Under new coach Emma Hayes, the USA won all three group games, with their attacking trio of Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith impressing. Swanson highlighted the team's chemistry: "Honestly we are kind of like sisters. This group we have right now is special and we are having a lot of fun."

Japan, confident after their performances, will seek to compete strongly against the USA.

World champions Spain, who eased through the group stage with a perfect record, will face Colombia in Lyon. Led by Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, Spain are strong favorites but remain cautious. Alexia Putellas warned against complacency: "It's going to be difficult to win every game. We've struggled to find our rhythm at times. Brazil, for example, really managed to stifle our attacks."

Brazil, who lost 2-0 to Spain, will face France in Nantes without their captain Marta, who is suspended. Marta's return to the tournament hinges on Brazil beating France. French coach Herve Renard praised striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto, the tournament's leading scorer with five goals: "Marie carries the team because she is so clinical. She doesn't need many chances to score."

The semi-final matchups will see France or Brazil facing Spain or Colombia, and the USA or Japan playing against Canada or Germany.