Great Britain crashed out of medal contention after Spain recorded a shock 1-0 win against Argentina on Thursday night.

The victory means the British team, four points adrift of Spain, will have to play them on Friday in what has become a meaningless contest.

A 40th-minute penalty corner rebound goal by Erdoitza Goikoetxea sealed victory for the 1992 Olympic champions, who otherwise rarely threatened Argentina.

But Spain must wait until the outcome of the match between hosts Australia and Korea on Friday before booking their place in the second 'Super Six' stage of the tournament.

Earlier New Zealand qualified for the medal stages after beating South Africa 1-0 to join the Argentinians, Australia and China in the last six.

In a tournament filled with shock results, Germany must beat European champions Holland to book their berth in the next phase, while the Dutch need only draw.

British performance director Chris Spice, coming to terms with his country's failure to make the last four for the first time in four Olympics, said: "We're very disappointed and it's a difficult time.

"A lot of people's dreams went out the window tonight, but we all have to take responsibility.

"Our build-up and preparation was encouraging and there was nothing to suggest it would end like this.

"We haven't played well and you can't leave yourself needing to rely on others. Mentally we weren't tough enough and we lost it when we were beaten in the first two matches and played a poor first half against Korea."

Spice added decisions on the future of the management team will be taken at a later stage.

"We're not about to sack anyone in the middle of a tournament," he said.

"We haven't handled the ball well; we've lost possession and at times couldn't string three or four passes together.

"But we're in a new world now with new teams coming through - and they're all defensive. The people who make the rules have to look at the changes they've made, especially the no offside.

"Some of the hockey played here has been terrible. Fewer goals have been scored than in the last Olympics, and when you have an attacking side like Holland struggling to qualify you have to ask questions."