LONDON - Brazil saw Porto star Alex Sandro sent-off but still overpowered New Zealand 3-0 at Newcastle's St James' Park to ease into

the quarter-finals of the men's Olympic football tournament on Wednesday.

By the time he was dismissed for a second bookable offence, after a yellow card for diving following one for an earlier foul, Internacional striker

Leandro Damiao had sent the South Americans on their way into the knockout stages. 

The 23-year-old set up midfielder Danilo for the opener and then claimed his second goal of the tournament before the break, with Tottenham's Sandro to seal a victory which will see his side return to St James' on Saturday.

Brazil went ahead with 23 minutes gone when Danilo played a one-two with Damiao before lifting the ball over goalkeeper Michael O'Keeffe.

And Brazil doubled their lead within six minutes when Alex Sandro ran on to a back-heel by left-back Marcelo and squared for Damiao to tap home.

Tottenham star Sandro put the result beyond doubt with a free-kick before Alex Sandro was dismissed.

Meanwhile Egypt also reached the last eight with a 3-1 win over Belarus at Glasgow's Hampden Park.

(AFP)