Yoon Duk-yeo’s side conceded penalties at the beginning of each half, overshadowing a spirited overall display which produced 23 shots at goal to eight, with Yeo Min-ji netting her side’s first goal of the tournament.

Norway’s win takes them through to the knockout stage as Group A runners-up, while France’s 1-0 win over Nigeria in their match, held simultaneously in Rennes, confirmed the hosts as group winners.

Both sides finished their final group stage fixture on four points, with Spain qualifying as group runners-up due to their marginally superior goal difference, while China PR’s points tally means they cannot be overhauled as one of the four best third-placed teams.

The Matildas’ stunning come-from-behind 3-2 win over Brazil last Thursday means a thumping victory over the Reggae Girlz, coupled with a Brazilian success against Le Azzurre, could yet see the Australians top the group table despite their slow start to the tournament.

Entering the knockout stage as group winners could give his side a more winnable Round of 16 fixture, but Milicic sees little point in agonising over a match he isn’t involved in, calling on his charges to focus on the job at hand against the 53rd-ranked tournament debutants.

The 91st-minute strike didn’t win them the match - Thailand fell to a 5-1 defeat to the world number nine Swedes – but it did provide a moment of unbridled joy for the Southeast Asian side, which had suffered a record 13-0 defeat to the United States in their opening match on Tuesday.

The 2018 AFC Women’s Asian Cup’s Most Valuable Player only featured as a substitute in Japan’s 0-0 Matchday One draw against Argentina, but she made the most of her recall against the Scots, giving her side a 23rd-minute lead with a crashing 20-yard drive.

It proved to be one of the key moments in the all-important clash, and Iwabuchi was awarded Player of the Match for an excellent overall contribution alongside Yuika Sugasawa.

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.