Beijing: Former champions Australia fought back to whip Spain 6-1 even as Argentina and Japan were held to embarrassing draws in the Olympic women's field hockey here on Tuesday.
The Hockeyroos, who on Sunday came from 1-4 down to stun South Korea 5-4, regrouped once again after being a goal down in the sixth minute to take full points in pool A.
World No. 2 Argentina suffered a second setback in three days when Britain overcame a 0-2 deficit to force a 2-2 draw in pool B.
Argentina, winners of the Champions Trophy ahead of the Games, were held 2-2 by the United States on Sunday and must now win their three remaining games to stay in the hunt for the semi-finals.
The 11th-ranked US team continued to surprise themselves and their opponents by drawing 1-1 with world number five Japan in pool B, captain Kate Barber equalising Kaori Chiba's early goal.
Hosts China followed their 3-0 win over Spain with an identical win over South Africa, but must still beat pool favourites Australia and the Netherlands for a place in the semi-finals.
Australia were stunned by a sixth minute goal from Spain's Silvia Munoz before they recovered in style to secure a handsome win.
Angela Lambert ensured it was 1-1 at the break with a penalty corner hit in the 27th minute, sparking a breathtaking Australian display in the second session.
Veteran Nicole Hudson put the Hockeyroos ahead with a solo strike in the 47th minute and Casey Eastham made it 3-1 with a penalty corner in the 54th.
Australia then scored three more goals in the last 10 minutes through Lambert, Emily Halliday and Megan Rivers.
Lambert hoped the young Aussie team will make amends for a fifth place finish in Athens four years ago after winning the previous two Olympic competitions.
"Winning this tournament is very important to us," she said. "We do not have stars in our teams but the younger players are really stepping it up. We were buzzing a bit after the last game against South Korea but the coach (Frank Murray) told us after the last game it would not necessarily be the same in the next game."
"We found a way through. We can never underestimate the Spanish girls who play with so much passion. But we knew if we kept pressing ahead we could put some in."
Agustina Garcia and Alejandra Gulla put Argentina ahead with two penalty corner conversions in the first half, before the British girls struck back.
Britain, who lost 5-1 to defending champions Germany on Sunday, drew level with two penalty corners of their own in the second session through Sarah Thomas and Mel Clewlow.
"To be honest it was not good to be down 2-0, but we picked up well," said Clewlow. "We also learnt a few tricks from the US girls who drew with Argentina and this helped us a lot."
China scored twice in the first half against South Africa, before adding one more goal in the second session.
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