Dubai: Argentina and South Africa became the first teams to qualify for the quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, emerging from Friday's conclusion of the group stages with 100 per cent records.
The South Americans made it three from three with a 14-0 defeat of Wales, who then had to wait to see if they made it through to the last eight as one of two second-best runners-up.
Tries from skipper Santiago Gomez Cora and Gonzalo Camacho helped secure Argentina's win while their 40-5 success earlier in the day over Zimbabwe included two scores apiece from Horacio San Martin and Martin Bustos Moyano.
South Africa also went through automatically but were pushed all the way in their final outing, a dramatic clash against Scotland.
Paul Delport and Renfred Dazel helped put their side 14-7 up but a determined Scotland levelled proceedings with a try from Roddy Grant.
But South Africa had the last word in the final play of the game, breaking Scottish hearts when Mpho Mbiyozo crashed over from short range.
The remaining six places in the last eight were all dependent on the final six games of the evening.
Melrose Cup holders Fiji followed up their unconvincing win over Georgia on Thursday night with a 26-12 success over the USA, and needed to beat France to be certain of qualifying.
Viliame Waqaseduadua's hat-trick, meanwhile, ensured that New Zealand made it two out of two with a 41-5 defeat of the Arabian Gulf, five tries coming in an urgent second-half display. And that meant their final pool game against Tonga would be crucial for qualification.
England and Kenya were set to meet in a mouthwatering final clash in Pool E with only the winner certain to reach the last eight.
Tom Varndell touched down twice in Thursday night's win over Hong Kong and crossed twice more against Tunisia but the North Africans made life extremely difficult for England who were glad to be 26-24 ahead at the end of proceedings.
Samoa were favourites to go through from Pool D after Lolo Lui grabbed a try in each half in the 20-7 defeat of Portugal.
Their final game was against Australia who lost a remarkable match earlier in the day against Ireland.
Tries from Felix Jones, Paul Marshall and Brian Carney helped put Ireland 17-0 ahead only for Australia to then launch a fightback to lead 21-17.
The result looked set but Gary Brown surged over from close range in the final seconds of the match to secure a 24-21 triumph.
