( CNN ) -- The United States women 's soccer team remains on course to defend its Olympic title after reaching the semifinals on Friday , while rivals Brazil and Great Britain crashed out . The U.S. beat New Zealand 2-0 to set a Monday clash with North American rival Canada , which defeated host Britain 2-0 . In the other semifinal , World Cup champion Japan will play first-time Olympic qualifier France . Veteran striker Abby Wambach gave the U.S. a 27th-minute lead as she turned home a cross from fellow forward Alex Morgan at the far post , making up for the duo 's earlier misses . It was her fourth goal in four games so far in the tournament , and eighth in all Olympic appearances . `` Everything she does on and off the field , she leads this team . If you look at this game today , she scored a huge goal , '' coach Pia Sundhage said of the 32-year-old Wambach , whose 142 international goals from 186 games is second only behind former teammate Mia Hamm in the scoring stakes . Morgan had three more second-half chances but the Americans could not make the game safe until the 87th minute when her replacement Sydney Leroux scored . `` We thought that we needed a little bit of a spark , '' Sundhage said . `` This bench will win games for us . The fact that Syd Leroux comes in and changes the game a little bit is huge for us and for her . '' Canada , which will host the next World Cup in 2015 , ended GB 's hopes of a medal in the team 's first Olympic appearance as Jonelle Filigno and Christine Sinclair scored in the first half . Britain had beaten Brazil to qualify top of its group , but could not find the net despite constant second-half pressure and a strong shout for a penalty kick . Young striker Filigno netted the first in the 11th minute and Sinclair bent in a free-kick five minutes before halftime with her 140th international goal . The Canadians finished eighth four years ago in their debut appearance , and will be seeking to end U.S. hopes of a third successive title and fourth overall since the tournament 's inception at Atlanta '96 . Japan defeated Beijing 2008 runner-up Brazil 2-0 , with Yuki Ogimi and Shinobu Ohno scoring in each half . France defeated Sweden 2-1 to earn revenge for a defeat in the third-place playoff at the 2011 World Cup . Nilla Fischer put the Swedes ahead after 17 minutes with a lucky deflected effort from a corner , but Laura Georges headed an equalizer and fellow defender Wendie Renard scored the winner seven minutes before halftime .
Abby Wambach scores her 142nd international goal as U.S. reaches semifinals . American women beat New Zealand 1 - 0 to keep Olympic title defense alive . The USA will play Canada on Monday after rival beats host Great Britain 2 - 0 . World Cup champions Japan will play France in the other semifinal .