The Asian outfit had sprung a surprise in their opening match by beating Sweden and they were in top form once again to become the first team to reach the last eight.

Choe Sol Gyong broke the deadlock in the 20th minute to put North Korea ahead but Gabi Nunes equalised for Brazil shortly after.

The game was effectively won when the Asian Championships runners-up found the net three times in the space of 11 minutes towards the end of the first-half.

Ri Hyang Sim edged North Korea in front before two goals from Jon So Yon gave them a commanding 4-1 lead at the break.

It was a deficit the Brazilians, who thumped hosts Papua New Guinea 9-0 in the first game of the tournament, could not recover from, although Brena’s penalty with over 40 minutes to go restored hope of an unlikely comeback.

North Korea held out, however, to ensure they progressed from Group A.

In the other match in the group, Sweden bounced back from their defeat to North Korea by thrashing Papua New Guinea 6-0, Stina Blackstenius scoring four.

Brazil and Sweden will meet in the last round of matches, the winner joining the North Koreans in the quarter-finals.

The defeat sent the home nation crashing out of the competition and they will take on North Korea in their final group game.

In Group B, substitute Maria Caldentey’s 81st minute penalty handed Spain a dramatic 1-0 win over Japan at Bava Park.

Just as the tight encounter looked to be heading towards a draw, Spain were awarded a penalty and Caldentey duly converted to keep her side’s chances of reaching the next round alive.

Canada followed Papua New Guinea out of the exit door as they were soundly beaten 3-1 by Nigeria, who go up against Spain in their last match needing a win to stand any chance of progressing.