The Nadeshiko, despite a steely defensive display, were undone by Ellen White’s 74th minute header as Britain booked their quarter-final spot while Japan's hopes were left in the balance.

Kubo put Japan ahead with six minutes on the clock and Doan added the second from the penalty spot five minutes later, while Mexico were forced to play the final 22 minutes with 10 men after Johan Vasquez was sent off for a foul on Doan.

Roberto Alvarado halved Japan’s lead four minutes from time following a mistake by goalkeeper Kosei Tani, but the home side came through a nervous finale to claim all three points.

Victory puts Japan on six points from their first two games after an opening day win over South Africa and means the host nation lead the standings by three points from Mexico and France, who won 4-3 against the South Africans earlier in the day.

Korea took the lead in the 27th minute through a Marius Marin own goal then Romania's Ion Gheorghe was sent off late in the first half, before Lee Dong-gyeong scored with a deflected effort as the hour approached and substitute Lee Kang-in's late brace wrapped up the victory.

With all four teams in Group B on three points heading into the final round of fixtures, but Korea top on goal difference, the East Asians will guarantee their place in the quarter-finals if they beat Honduras on Wednesday, when Romania will take on New Zealand.

Buoyed by their 2-0 win over Argentina three days prior, the Olyroos were forced to defend for much of the contest against Luis de la Fuente’s side, but it took until the 80th minute for Mikel Oyarzabal to finally break the deadlock.

Despite their defeat, Australia remain in second place in Group C, a position that will see them through to the knockout stage should they retain it in their final group match against Egypt on Wednesday.

Both sides had lost their opening match; Saudi Arabia being edged out 2-1 by Côte d'Ivoire and Germany falling to a 4-2 defeat against Brazil. And with the earlier Sunday game ending in a goalless draw, Saudi Arabia and Germany knew a defeat for either would mean early elimination.

Leading 2-1 early in the second half thanks to a Sam Kerr brace, the Matildas couldn't hold off a clinical Swedish side, with Fridolina Rolfo scoring twice alongside goals from Lina Hurtig and substitute Stina Blackstenius.

The match could potentially have ended differently if Kerr had converted a penalty kick with the score at 3-2 in the 70th minute, but Hedvig Lindahl’s save denied the Australian captain a hat-trick, and ultimately sent them to third place in the group with one game remaining.

Wang Shuang scored all four goals for the Steel Roses with the result leaving China PR third in the standings with one point, ahead of Zambia on goal difference going into the final match against the Netherlands on Tuesday.