TIANJIN, China — Salomon Kalou converted one of his several chances in the 81st minute, giving the Ivory Coast a 1-0 victory over Australia Wednesday to send it to the quaterfinals in the team's first appearance in the men's Olympic football tournament.

The Ivorians finished with seven points, two behind Group A winner Argentina and six ahead of the Australians in third place.

Ivory Coast advanced to face fellow African side Nigeria on Saturday in Qinhuangdo. After finishing fifth in 2004 in Athens, the Australians were eliminated with only a pair of draws and having scored only one goal.

Kalou, who wasted several chances in both halves, finally converted when Gervinho got behind the Australian defense, which had pushed up needing a goal and a victory to advance. Gervinho served a ball into the Chelsea striker, who volleyed with his right foot from inside the top of the penalty area.

"Kalou is a very experienced player. The chances he created were the reason we were able to win," midfielder Emmanuel Kone said.

The goal killed the hopes of the Australians.

"The first game was nerves. The second game I thought we were outstanding. Today, I thought we were outstanding," Australian coach Graham Arnold said. "The difference today was Kalou. Chelsea. Big player."

With neither side secure in their quarterfinal chances, both started with a relatively offensive mind-set. The Australians had their best opportunity in the 20th minute when David Carney ran onto a ball in the penalty area and beat keeper Vincent Angban from close range — but defender Souleymane Bamba raced in behind and blocked the shot on the line.

Kalou had the Ivorians' best first-half chance in the 29th, working in from the left before unleashing a right-footed shot that Australian keeper Adam Federici lunged at and tipped around the far post.

Despite being able to advance with a draw, the Ivorians had the better of chances in the second half.

Kalou had two chances two minutes apart, trading passes with Gervinho before sending a volley over the bar from 10 meters in the 68th. He came in from the left again in the 70th, creating space for himself before shooting well over from 20 meters.

He was finally replaced in the 90th minute by Anthony Moura-Komenan.

"We had to open up a bit in the second half. We had to chase the result," Arnold said. "The field got bigger between the midfield and defense. Then I think fatigue set in and it took its toll."

After scoring five goals and conceding four in their previous two matches, Ivory Coast was a marked contrast against Australia. It lacked a final touch in front of goal and rarely looked out of position in their back line.