Holders United States and hosts Spain ended the World Cup preliminary stage with 5-0 records after emphatic wins that pitted them against modest opposition in the first knockout round.

The US strolled to a 95-71 victory over Ukraine that sent the eastern Europeans home and next face what should be another easy ride against Mexico who clinched a last-16 berth with an 87-71 triumph over South Korea.

Spain beat Serbia 89-73 to set up a meeting with surprise packages Senegal who went through despite an 81-79 defeat by the eliminated Philippines.

Croatia progressed thanks to a 103-82 victory over Puerto Rico.

The Croatians play European champions France for a quarter-final place while Brazil, who enjoyed the biggest win of the tournament with a 128-65 rout of Egypt, face rivals Argentina in another mouth-watering tie.

Having sealed their passage with two games to spare, the Americans trailed Ukraine at the end of the first quarter and gave their battling rivals hope they could pull off a major upset.

Extra effort

The holders then moved up a gear and ran out easy winners on the back of 17 points from James Harden and 16 by Stephen Curry, with four of their team-mates also finishing in double digits.

“It was a rough start for us. We started off a little slow,” Golden State Warriors guard Curry said.

“But our effort and intensity was there and that was the mission coming in. Take each game one at a time, try to get better every game, and I think we accomplished that.”

The tournament now moves from the four preliminary stage venues to Madrid and Barcelona, with the first knockout round games taking place today and tomorrow.