Having each won their first two matches, the teams went into the game with their places in the last 16 secured but, level on six points apiece, top spot remained up for grabs, although it was Iran who led on goal difference to mean a draw would see them finish in first place.

But much of the talk in the build-up centred on the incredible 3-3 draw in the quarter-finals of the 2015 competition – a game that Beiranvand watched from the bench – when Iraq prevailed 7-6 on penalties in what was one of the most memorable matches in the tournament’s history.

The three-time champions sealed top spot in Group D following a 0-0 draw with Iraq on Wednesday, edging the West Asians on goal difference after both team finished on seven points.

Team Melli now await their Round of 16 opponents, the best third-placed team from either Group B, E or F, and Queiroz said he has to get his players ready for the business end of the competition.

Son, who only arrived in the Emirates earlier this week after being released by club side Tottenham Hotspur, proved to be a key figure throughout the victory, earning a successfully converted first-half penalty and then seeing Kim Min-Jae head home from his corner on 51 minutes.

The win was the Taeguk Warriors’ third in as many games, a run of form which has seen them finish top of Group C and leave Bento admitting that the addition of Son brings a whole host of positives.

The win was Kyrgyz Republic's first ever at the Continental Finals, with striker Vitalij Lux bagging all three goals on a day that will live long in the memory in the Central Asian nation.

Speaking before Vietnam's subsequent 2-0 win over Yemen which confirmed his side's place in the Round of 16, Krestinin acknowledged his team's efforts.

The 29-year-old striker was at his lethal best on Wednesday, netting all three Kyrgyz Republic goals in their crucial 3-1 win over fellow debutants the Philippines, their first ever in the Finals.

The Akshumkar's three points, coupled with Vietnam's 2-0 win against Yemen, means the Central Asian side is the first newcomer to the tournament to reach the knockout stage since 2007, and Lux said their achievements are evidence that they belong among Asia's elite.

The stalemate, coupled with Syria’s last gasp loss to Australia, saw Palestine finish third in the group on two points and still in contention for a place in the next round ahead of Matchday Three action in four more groups.

Despite Palestine being forced to play a potentially nervy waiting game, Ould Ali was quick to declare that he was more than happy to be in such a position, especially given the difficult nature of the group his team were in.

Tom Rogic scored deep into added time to earn the Australians a last-gasp win after the Syrians twice pinned them back in their own search for a victory that would have taken them into the Round of 16.

Awer Mabil put Australia in front before Omar Khrbin levelled while Chris Ikonomidis’ second half effort was cancelled out from the penalty spot by Omar Al Soma, only for Rogic to slam the ball home from 25 yards in the third minute of added time.