Great Britain sent Uruguay crashing out of the football tournament of the London Olympics with a 1-0 victory at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff, and Stuart Pearce lauded his team's excellent performance.

Daniel Sturridge's strike in first-half stoppage time was enough to give Pearce's team maximum points and set a date with South Korea in the quarterfinals.

"When you play anyone in a situation when it was them or us, we played some outstanding football, especially in the first half," Team GB boss Pearce said.

"In the second half, we tired slightly and they came into the game as to be expected.

"But I think, overall, we are delighted. We have beaten a very good Uruguay side. They have got some outstanding players."

Pearce rested Ryan Giggs for the game, but saw the midfield trio of Aaron Ramsey, Joe Allen and Tom Cleverley put in an impressive performance. "I thought all 18 of the players were fantastic, and it excites me to stay in the competition to play at least one more game with this group," the former England international said.

"We are improving game by game, our fitness levels are improving, our understanding is improving and some of the passing, especially in the first half, was outstanding."

Uruguay's Luis Suarez was roundly booed by the crowd every time he touched the ball and the Liverpool striker, who seemed to suffer because of it, said the supporters jeered him in fear of his ability. "I think they jeer me and they boo me because they must be scared of facing a player like me," he told reporters.

"They fear me, but that doesn't affect me. I'm hurt because we lost and are going home. We all had a dream and that was to win the gold medal here.

"I can take the abuse. I don't mind. But I think it was a total lack of respect from the crowd to boo when we were trying to sing our national anthem. Those things should not happen."

Uruguay and Liverpool teammate Sebastian Coates came out in support of Suarez. "I'm tired of this situation with Luis," he said. "I think it has gone on too far and I don't like to see him being treated like this.

"I know the kind of person he is and I think the abuse he gets is very unfair. He knows all his team-mates and the whole country are fully behind him and I think fans over here should leave him alone."

Brazil played New Zealand with several of their start players rested, but still came away with an extremely comfortable 3-0 victory.

The likes of Hulk, Oscar and Romulo were not in the starting line-up, and Ganso was ruled out by injury, but the so-called Brazil reserves stamped their authority on the New Zealanders, romping home to a victory, through goals from Danilo, Leandro Damiao and Sandro.

The only issue in the game was Alex Sandro's sending off for two bookable offences. Brazil coach Mano Menezes thought the red card was harsh. "It's unfortunate that we lost Alex Sandro. The first yellow card, I didn't think was right because it was a clash of heads.

"The second, looking at the criteria used, could have been a verbal warning as their number nine was warned some five times."

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sandro, who scored the third goal for Brazil, said it was about time for Brazil to win an Olympic gold. "It's important for me, this Olympic Games," the defensive midfielder told reporters.

"Brazil never win this competition. If Brazil win this competition, it will be good for the World Cup. For me, I try so hard to stay in the national team.

"Everyone has talked about it. If we win this competition, have possibility for two years in Brazil with the same team. It's going to be good."