Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Tudor Baluta will be heading home early from the Olympics after Argentina and Romania failed to qualify for the knockout stages yesterday.

Mac Allister started for Argentina as they came up against Spain in their final group game, where they drew 1-1.

However, despite picking up a point it was not enough to secure their place in the knockout stage after Egypt beat Australia to finish second in Group C.

Mac Allister also came up against Albion target Marc Cucurella who once against started at left back for Spain.

The 23-year-old once again looked lively down the left wing and was willing to put his body in where it hurt as they picked up a point.

However, Spain were the better side during the game and missed numerous chances to take the lead with the best falling to Dani Olmo three minutes into the second half, but he ballooned his effort over the bar from close range.

The point was enough to see Spain top group C and qualify for the knockout stages.

Mac Allister’s Albion teammate Baluta also saw his Olympic dream come to an end.

However the 22-year-old was not part of the Romania squad which played out a goalless draw with New Zealand.

That point meant they finished third in Group B missing out on qualifying for the knockout stages on goal difference to the Kiwis.

It does mean that former Albion striker Chris Wood will continue his Olympic journey and means he is less likely to feature against the Seagulls on the opening day of the Premier League in just over two weeks time.

Cucurella is not the only Albion target who is still in the Olympics, as Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma is heading through to the knockout stages.

The 24-year-old was an unused substitute as Japan produced a major upset beating France 4-0.

The result means they are the only side in the group stages to progress through with a 100% record.

France who were one of the overwhelming favourites to win the gold medal have crashed out of the tournament after finishing third in Group A, picking up three points from their three group games.

Cucurella and his Spanish teammates will now face the Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals on Saturday morning (9am).

Mitoma and Japan will now be looking to continue their 100% record and take another step closer to winning a gold medal on home turf as they face New Zealand in the quarter-finals on Saturday morning (10am).