Megan Rapinoe started the scoring in the first half before Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd put the Group G game to bed.

Colombia offered a strong resistance for the first half hour, but the US broke through thanks to Rapinoe, who curled a right-footed effort in from 20 yards out.

The US put the match beyond reach with just over 15 minutes to play, when Tobin Heath played Wambach through and the striker held off her defender to coolly slot past the onrushing goalkeeper.

Lloyd added the gloss just a few minutes later.

Rapinoe played the midfielder through the middle of the Colombian defence and Lloyd duly finished to the far post.

In the other Group G encounter, France struck four times in the last 20 minutes to record a 5-0 win over North Korea.

Brazil progressed to the last eight from Group E after edging New Zealand 1-0 in Cardiff.

The Kiwis were hard to break down again, but Cristiane struck four minutes from full-time to give Brazil their second win from as many games.

New Zealand goalkeeper Jenny Bindon came off her line to punch clear, but her clearance fell for Cristiane to chip into an empty net.

The hosts also booked their place in the quarter-finals, easily disposing of Cameroon 3-0 thanks to goals from Casey Stoney, Jill Scott and Steph Houghton.

World Cup holders Japan failed to capitalise on their territorial dominance and were held to a goalless draw by Sweden in their Group F clash at the City of Coventry Stadium.

Japan had enough chances to have won comfortably but were let down by poor finishing and some fine saves from Swedish goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl.

It means that the Swedes, beaten by Japan in the 2011 World Cup semi-finals, still head the group on goal difference from their opponents.

Canada kept alive their chances of qualifying from Group F as two goals from their record goalscorer Christine Sinclair helped them to a comfortable 3-0 win over bottom-placed South Africa at the same venue.

Their first victory means they are lying in third spot ahead of the final games - a point adrift of Japan and Sweden, whom they meet on Tuesday at St James' Park.