A surprise 0-0 draw against tournament minnows Argentina was far from the start the Asian champions had hoped for in France and the result will have even more damaging consequences should they fail to beat a Scotland side participating in their first World Cup.

With world number three England lying in wait in Japan’s final group stage match, Takakura agreed that three points, and nothing less, will do at Roazhon Park on Friday.

Despite fielding eight players making their tournament debut, Japan were considered strong favourites to win the tie, but a resolute Argentinian defence helped Carlos Borrello’s side to their first ever World Cup point.

In what both coaches had branded a ‘must-win’ fixture, the Koreans led possession, shots and most other statistical indicators but once again failed to score, with an own goal from Kim Do-yeon putting them behind, before Asisat Oshoala sealed the tie for Nigeria with a late second.

Korea Republic now must not only beat Norway in their final group stage fixture, in Reims on Friday, but hope other results work in their favour if they are to return to the Round of 16, which they reached in 2015.

The reigning world champions were roundly expected to defeat the Southeast Asian side, and they lived up to expectations with three early goals, before adding another 10 more in a blistering second half to record the biggest ever World Cup win.

Well beaten, but with their arduous first assignment now behind them, Thailand’s attention now turns to what they hope will be more competitive remaining Group F fixtures against Sweden and Chile.

Sam Kerr opened the scoring with her first career World Cup goal, but Juventus ace Bonansea scored twice in the second half to punish a listless Australia, who now have a significant challenge ahead if they are to salvage their France 2019 campaign.

The Matildas will look to bounce back against Brazil on Thursday, knowing defeat in that match could deliver a fatal blow to their knockout stage hopes.

Wendie Renard’s brace as well as goals from Amandine Henry and Eugenie Le Sommer helped France to a comprehensive Group A victory as Korea Republic regularly struggled to contain the rampaging host nation at an atmospheric Parc des Princes in Paris.

The defeat, whilst far from extinguishing Korean hopes, has left Yoon’s charges with plenty of work still to do if they are to reach the competition’s knockout phase, a point not lost on the 58-year-old tactician.

Wendie Renard’s brace and the inspirational form of Amandine Henry and Eugenie Le Sommer were the undoubted highlights of the morale boosting win for France, one which sends them to the top of the Group A table ahead of Saturday’s match between fellow group hopefuls Norway and Nigeria.