Japan squeezed through to the women's basketball semi-finals following a dramatic 86-85 victory over Belgium at the Tokyo Olympics.
Targeting a first medal in the event, the host nation almost suffered last-gasp heartbreak after recovering from 70-61 behind in the final quarter.
Saki Hayashi’s three-pointer put them in front by one with 16 seconds remaining, but there was still time for Belgium’s Kim Mestdagh to take aim right at the death.
However, her last-second jump shot bounced off the rim, meaning Japan go through to a last-four clash with France.
"There were so many peaks and valleys. We were hanging on to the cliff by a fingernail in the fourth quarter," coach Tom Hovasse said.
"We just came up with plays and towards the middle of the fourth quarter, we ramped up our defence and that took them out of their comfort zone.
"We believe in ourselves, and I am hoping more people outside our locker room believe in us.
"I think it is safe to say it is the biggest win in Japan basketball history."
FRANCE FEND OFF SPAIN FIGHTBACK
Japan's next opponents are France, who beat Spain 67-64 after another epic encounter.
Despite dominating most of the contest – Marine Johannes leading the way with 18 points – France appeared in danger of throwing it all away as they fell 61-60 behind.
However, they recovered to snatch victory and secure a third consecutive appearance in the last four.
Astou Ndour had 16 points in a losing cause for Spain, runners up from the Rio Games who will not be taking home a medal this time around.
SERBIA STUN CHINA
Serbia were another team to produce an inspired turnaround as they defeated China 77-70.
Bronze medallists on their debut in Rio, the European champions recovered from 58-50 down to reach their second successive semi-final at the Games.
"How many times have we done this, 20, 30 times?" said shooting guard Ana Dabovic, who claimed six assists during the game to go alongside her 13 points.
"We never quit, and we play the hardest when we are down. We showed today we can find energy.
"This is a great success for a small country. Second time at the Olympics for Serbia; second time in the semi-finals. This is great."
Jelena Brooks top-scored with 18 points for Serbia, while Sonja Vasic had 16.
SEVEN IN A ROW STILL ON
The United States remain on course for a seventh straight Olympic gold after easing to a 79-55 win over three-time silver medallists Australia.
Breanna Stewart led the way with 20 first-half points – she would finish the contest with 23 overall - as USA ran out 79-55 winners.
"I thought we came out and played inspired basketball on both sides of the ball," said coach Dawn Staley.
"We played with an incredible desire to advance and it was just contagious.
"I thought our team was focused on keeping the heat on Australia and not let them back in the game."
Team USA have not failed to win the women’s tournament at an Olympics since Barcelona in 1992.
Indonesia 0-0 Australia: Wasteful Socceroos play out stalemate
Australia's wastefulness in front of goal cost them in World Cup qualifying once more as they drew 0-0 with Indonesia on Tuesday.
Nestory Irankunda came closest for the Socceroos, hitting the woodwork, as Graham Arnold's side failed to pick up their first win in the third round of the 2026 AFC World Cup qualifiers.
Indonesia had an early flurry of chances, with Sandy Walsh and Rafael Struick both testing Mat Ryan inside the opening 17 seconds.
Australia dominated after that though, with Harry Souttar seeing a couple of efforts saved in quick succession before Irankunda struck the woodwork from range just after the half-hour mark.
The visitors pushed for an opening in the second half but struggled to create many chances of note as Craig Goodwin had Australia's only shot on target after the break.
Witan Sulaeman almost snatched it at the end, but missed a glorious chance in the dying seconds, poking a close-range shot wide of the near post under no pressure.
Data Debrief: Socceroos fire another blank
Australia suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Bahrain in their last match, with a Souttar own goal compounding their misery that day.
And their lack of a clinical edge cost them once more against Indonesia, as they had 19 shots (five on target); they last recorded more without scoring against the United Arab Emirates in January 2019 in the Asian Cup (22).
Meanwhile, Indonesia's defence stayed resolute, but they offered little in terms of attacking threat, managing only two shots on target, which both came within a second of each other.
De Bruyne launches scathing review after Belgium loss
Kevin De Bruyne hit out at Belgium following their 2-0 defeat to France on Monday, claiming they have "to be better in every way".
Ousmane Dembele ran the show for Les Bleus in their second Nations League match, scoring France's second after Randal Kolo Muani had opened the scoring in the first half.
Belgium, meanwhile, managed just nine shots in the game, with just two of those coming in a lacklustre first-half performance.
While De Bruyne refused to give any details of his half-time team talk, he did not hold back his criticism of the team.
"I can't say here what went wrong. I already did that to the team at half-time," he said.
"I cannot repeat that in the media, but it has to be better in every way. If the standard we want to reach is the best, but we're no longer good enough to get to that level, then you have to give everything.
"If you don't even do that, it's over.
"I can accept that we're not as good as in 2018 [when they reached the World Cup semi-finals].
"I was the first to see that, but other things are unacceptable. I'm not going to say what."
Belgium sit third in Group A2 after two games, level with France on three points.
Deschamps back Mbappe to end France dry spell
Didier Deschamps is confident Kylian Mbappe will regain his scoring touch soon and is not worried about his captain's current dry spell.
France got back to winning ways in the Nations League on Monday, beating Belgium 2-0 thanks to goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele, who put on an inspired display in Lyon.
Mbappe started on the bench and, after coming on, had four shots, two of which were on target, but failed to hit the back of the net for the fifth game in a row for Les Bleus.
At club level, Mbappe got off the mark for Real Madrid in LaLiga with a brace just before the international break, and Deschamps is confident he will be back to his free-scoring best sooner rather than later.
"Kylian feels good. Obviously, like almost all players, he is not yet at 100%," Deschamps told TF1.
"His dry spell? Knowing his demands on that... Kylian will score goals. We may have focused a little too much on him. It doesn't happen with the snap of a finger.
"But I repeat, the French team will always be stronger with him. I am convinced that in a month he will be better.
"There are very high demands in his club. With us, he fully assumes his role as captain, even when he is not playing. I have no worries with Kylian."
France endured an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign before following it up with a disappointing loss to Italy in their Nations League opener last week.
Despite getting back to winning ways on Monday, the French fans made their frustration with the national team heard, directing boos and whistles at Deschamps during the match.
The 55-year-old was unfazed by the criticism but believes it will negatively affect the team as a whole going forward.
"I didn't hear the whistles," Deschamps added. "But you know, I'm not going to say that I was born with criticism, but it's part of the game, it's my responsibility, I'm immersed in everything that's happening.
"It doesn't have an influence on me, but on the players, the environment... When we come, we support the French team, so the whistles... That people are unhappy, disappointed, that they show it, why not, but now when the players are on the field... I don't think it's for the good of the French team."
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