Football: Spain leave it late

OLYMPIC GAMES

The Olympic champions, Spain, averted premature elimination by scoring twice in the final three minutes of their match against Australia on Wednesday.

France beat Saudi Arabia 2-1 to join Spain as the qualifers from Group B while in Group A Portugal and Argentina both drew 1-1 to join them in the last eight.

Spain were trailing 2-1 against Australia, a result which would have sent their opponents through, when Santiago Denia equalised. In injury time, Real Madrid's Raul headed his second goal of the night. Australia had shocked Spain by scoring twice in the first 10 minutes through Aurelio Vidmar and Wolves' Steve Corica. Portugal drew 1-1 with the United States, as did Argentina against the lowly rated Tunisia.