The Samurai Blue sealed their first win of the tournament, coming after they had fought back to hold Ecuador 1-1 in their opening match on Thursday.

With Italy beating Ecuador 1-0 in the group's second match of the day, Japan's chances of reaching the knockout stage are bright.

Reigning AFC U-19 Championship winners Saudi Arabia were defeated 2-0 by France while Korea Republic were edged 1-0 by two-time FIFA U-20 World Cup champions Portugal.

The Flying Eagles, runners-up to a Joao Pinto-propelled Portugal in 1989 and a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in 2005, soared 2-0 up inside 25 minutes – and both goals were indebted to their left-back.

Ikouwem Utin duped his marker and unleashed a swerving shot, which Shehab Mamdouh could only push into the path of Maxwell Effiom, whose first-time volley broke the deadlock in the 12th minute.

The Nigeria No 3 then somehow sprung four challenges down the left and cut the ball back to present Okechukwa Offia with a comfortable finish from close range in the 24th minute.

Ecuador took the lead right before half-time, albeit rather fortuitously. From a free-kick, Japan goalkeeper Tomoya Wakahara punched his clearance directly into teammate Kyosuke Tagawa's face and the ball ricocheted into the goal.