Successive defeats to France and Nigeria mean even defeating the Norwegians may not be enough to keep Korea Republic in the competition, with finishing as one of four highest-ranked third placed teams representing their best chance of reaching the Round of 16.

But even if progression from the group stage does prove to be out their reach, Yoon said his players are determined to perform well in the match Stade de Reims, which he believes will show the way forward for the national team programme.

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.

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.

Under pressure to improve following their record 13-0 defeat to the United States on Tuesday, Thailand earned an improved result, and enjoyed a moment to remember thanks to Kanjana Sung-Ngoen’s late goal, but remain on the brink of group stage elimination.

While mathematically still in knockout stage contention, Thailand now require an implausible series of events in their favour, including a thumping win over Chile, to reach the last 16, while Sweden’s win guarantees their progression with a match to spare.

With both sides on three points, and Spain marginally ahead on goal difference, the winners of Monday’s match are certain to progress to the knockout stage, while any other result will leave the Steel Roses’ knockout stage fate at the mercy of other results.

Like many, Jia was impressed by the influence exerted by Spain in their 1-0 loss to world number two Germany – the same result registered by China in their opening match – but the former men’s international insists the onus is on his side to shape their meeting with Jorge Vilda’s side in their own image.

The Chinese goal poacher was left on the bench in her side’s 1-0 Matchday One loss to Germany but celebrated her recall to the starting line-up with a goal that not only perfectly underlined her qualities, but also revived the Steel Roses’ campaign.

The Guangdong Huijun striker timed her run to perfection to seamlessly meet a pinpoint delivery from Zhang Rui, giving South African goalkeeper Kaylin Swart little chance of keeping the ball out in the 40th minute.

In a match which has been dubbed the ‘Miracle of Montpellier’, Australia were staring down the barrel of a shock group stage exit when Cristiane put the South Americans 2-0 up in the 38th minute, but, against all the odds, they emerged with all three points.

Caitlin Foord pulled a goal back just before half time, before Player of the Match Chloe Logarzo levelled the tie in the 58th minute, with a VAR-influenced own goal from Brazilian defender Monica ultimately completing a remarkable recovery.