Class usually shines through in any international soccer tournament and so it did again at the Beijing Olympic Games with Argentina doing just enough to pip Nigeria to the elusive gold medal position. A single goal from Angel di Maria in the searing heat of the Bird's Nest stadium was enough to retain Argentina's title from four years ago and beat off the stiff competition from the 1996 winners from Africa.

Brazil had to make do with bronze medals after comprehensively beating Belgium 3-0 in their play-off game but the stars of the show were undoubtedly the Argies. Coach Sergio Batista had put together a formidable enough squad of under 23 players but once you added in the experience of players such as Riquelme and Mascherano it was always going to be hard to see past Argentina as possible winners. The next target for these guys will now be the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

The most hotly anticipated game of the 2008 Beijing Olympics was undoubtedly the South American showdown between Brazil and Argentina and it more than lived up to it's pre-game billing. Argentina comfortably ran out 3-0 winners in the end but in world soccer's most intense rivalry there were more than enough stories to keep both sides talking (and arguing) for years to come. Read more...

It may have taken extra-time and a victory by the slimmest of margins but Carli Lloyd's 20 yard strike was enough to secure gold for the US women's soccer team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

With a final contested by two of the pre-tournament favourites it was inevitably going to be a tight affair and so it proved with Lloyd's goal the only goal of the game six minutes into extra time. Brazilian star Marta nearly squeezed in an equaliser and along with strike partner Cristiane kept the US defence under almost constant pressure. The rearguard action from the US kept them in the game and ultimately contributed to their third Olympic gold medal in the past four Games.

World champions Germany secured the bronze medal position with a 2-0 win over Japan courtesy of two goals from substitute Fatmire Bajramaj.

South America's big two, Argentina and Brazil, will face off in the Olympic soccer tournament semi-finals after pushing aside The Netherlands and Cameroon respectively in their quarter final games. Read more...