NEWCASTLE: Brazil remain on track to win their first Olympic gold in men's football - barely.

Brazil narrowly escaped with a victory against a shorthanded Honduras yesterday, twice coming from behind to earn a 3-2 win and advance to the semi-finals of the men's Olympic football tournament.

Honduras got goals early in each half but could not hold on as the Brazilians played with an extra man from the 33rd minute after defender Wilmer Crisanto was sent off with two yellow cards just a minute apart.

Mario Martinez put Honduras ahead in the 12th before Leandro Damiao equalized in the 38th. Roger Espinoza gave Honduras the lead again in the 48th, but Neymar evened the score by converting a penalty kick in the 50th and Damiao netted the winning goal in the 60th.

In the semi-final, Brazil will face South Korea who advanced to the last-four stage after beating hosts Britain 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

Ki Sung-yueng hit the winning penalty after Daniel Sturridge had missed Britain's fourth spot kick.

The game was level 1-1 after regulation and extra time.

Brazil's regular starters returned yesterday after many were rested in the team's 3-0 win over New Zealand in their last group match, when they had already secured a berth in the quarters.

Brazil were the only team to win all of their three group-stage matches, entering the quarters with the tournament's best attack with nine goals scored.

Meanwhile, Giovani Dos Santos led Mexico into the semi-finals yesterday, setting up two goals in regulation before scoring in extra time to help secure a 4-2 win over error-prone Senegal at Wembley Stadium.