The European side put themselves in pole position to qualify alongside Group A winners North Korea when Stina Blackstenius headed home after 14 minutes at the PNG Football Stadium in Port Moresby.

Another header from Gabi Nunes levelled for Brazil on 31 minutes, however, and the match remained deadlocked.

It meant that both sides finished on four points, with the South Americans' goal difference of plus seven putting them through at the expense of the Swedes who recorded plus four.

Brazil's 9-0 win over hosts Papua New Guinea proved key, with Sweden only beating the home side 6-0.

In the other game in the group, already qualified North Korea ensured they progressed with a 100 per cent record as they beat Papua New Guinea 7-1.

Ri Un Sim put a much-changed Korean side ahead after seven minutes, but there was then a magical moment for the hosts when Nicollete Ageva steered a bouncing ball home to spark pandemonium in Port Moresby's National Football Stadium.

Their first goal at their home tournament was something to savour for the underdogs, who then managed to keep parity for 21 minutes.

In the end class told, however, with a Kim So Hyang hat-trick and strikes from Ju Hyo-sim, Wi Jong-sim and S. Hyang-sim completing the rout.

Group B was also completed today with Nigeria unluckily going out on goal difference despite winning two of their three matches and collecting six points.

Their 2-1 victory over Spain at PNG Football Stadium today was in vain as goals from Ihuoma Onyebuchi and Chinwendu Ihezuo, after Alba Redondo had given the European side the lead, left them with a goal difference of minus three.

Japan and Spain both finished above them, also on six points, with goal differences of plus 10 and plus five respectively proving enough to qualify.

The Japanese confirmed their place in the last eight today by beating winless Canada 5-0, with their earlier 6-0 win over Nigeria proving key in the final reckoning as they topped the group.

Yui Hasegawa prodded home the opener with Mami Ueno doubling the lead on the rebound.

Honoka Hayashi steered a shot home from the edge of the penalty area for number three, before Hasegawa grabbed her second with an instinctive flicked finish.

Substitute Hina Sugita then slid home a fifth 15 minutes from time with Japan now meeting Brazil in the last eight.

North Korea will play Spain in the quarter-finals, with Groups C and D concluding tomorrow.