The Koreans have yet to claim a point in their first two games but still harbour the slimmest of hopes of finishing second, with a victory over the Germans by two goals and a Swedish defeat at the hands of Mexico in the day’s other match required to take the Taeguk Warriors into the last 16.

But with the Mexico reversal the Koreans’ second straight loss following an agonising defeat by Sweden in their opener, Lee is not confident he and his teammates can advance to the knockout phase for the first time since 2010.

The victory meant Mexico laid one foot in the Round of 16 and left Korea Republic on the brink of elimination after goals from Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela clinched the Mexicans the win. 

Hernandez became the first Mexican player to score 50 goals for his country, after 104 appearances, with Vela earlier opening the scoring through yet another penalty kick. 

Son Heung-min's stunning long-range effort in stoppage time gave Korea Republic a glimmer of hope but it was too little too late.

After a difficult buildup to the tournament, Akira Nishino's team showed their true capabilities when they stunned Colombia 2-1 in their opener on June 19.

While there is no denying Colombia played almost the entire match with 10 men after Carlos Sanchez was sent off, Japan showed grit and determination in pulling off the win after the South Americans had equalised through Juan Quintero.

Shinji Kagawa had given the Samurai Blue the lead off a penalty awarded when Sanchez handled the ball in the third minute while Yuya Osako scored the winner in the 73rd minute.

It was a result which Nishino had dreamed of and Japan take on Senegal knowing that a win should take them through to the Round of 16 for just the third time.

And although restricted to a substitute appearance so far in what is his third, and almost certainly final campaign, the former AC Milan star has not given up on that unlikely dream becoming reality.

"I'm feeling that this World Cup is my final one," Honda said at the team's training base in Kazan.

"I'm 32 years old and four years is pretty long. Right now I can't decide about (what will happen) four years later, so I'm spending all my energy on this World Cup.

"That's why I really want to succeed at this World Cup, with these teammates."

Diego Costa’s fortuitous goal nine minutes into the second half was all that separated the sides at Kazan Arena and the loss leaves Ansarfiard and his teammates needing to win their final game against Portugal to secure a place in the Round of 16.

Iran have never progressed beyond the group stages in any of their previous four appearances at the FIFA World Cup, with the Carlos Queiroz-coached team also falling short in Brazil four years ago.

But, with Iran only one point behind the Portuguese in Group B after two rounds of matches, the versatile Olympiacos star is confident Team Melli can find a way past Cristiano Ronaldo and company in Kaliningrad next week.

Coming into the game on the back of three points against Peru, Denmark took an early lead through a sweet Christian Eriksen strike, but Australia did not let the setback get the better of them and responded well.

Just as against France, Bert van Marwijk's team benefitted from a handball in the box, with Yussuf Poulsen the guilty culprit, and Mile Jedinak duly converted the VAR assisted spot-kick. From then on, the Socceroos were on top but unable to take advantage as the tie ended 1-1.

The Green Falcons opened their campaign with a 5-0 defeat to hosts Russia, and despite showing improvement, they fell 1-0 to Uruguay in their second match.

“We may not have done enough to get the result we wanted but we had lots of the ball (possession) and we circulated it well,” said the 50-year-old Argentinian coach.

"We imposed ourselves on the game against Uruguay.

“The goal we conceded was unfortunate, but we didn’t have the tools they had. We couldn’t equalise, but we controlled the play. We didn’t suffer.”