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.

Li Ying’s goal, scored just before half time, was the pivotal moment in a match the Steel Roses largely controlled but couldn’t kill off, despite registering three times as many goal attempts as their opponents.

The result puts China PR level with Spain – the side they will meet in the final group stage match in Le Havre on Monday – in Group B with three points, although the Steel Roses remain behind the Europeans on goal difference.

Jia Xiuquan’s side made life more difficult than many observers had anticipated for the two-time winners, but were left to rue a series of missed first-half opportunities as teenage star Gwinn sealed the win in the 66th minute.

Despite their defeat, China PR’s campaign is far from over, with forthcoming matches against South Africa and Spain to decide their knockout stage fate.

The Asian champions had a point to prove after their lacklustre 0-0 draw with Argentina on Monday, and a youthful Nadeshiko looked more like the team which has appeared in the past two World Cup Finals.

A thumping opening goal from the reinstated Mana Iwabuchi got Japan going in the 23rd minute, before Yuika Sugasawa doubled the lead 14 minutes later, but they had to endure a nervy finale after Lana Clelland pulled a goal back for Scotland with two minutes remaining.

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.

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.

The reigning world champions were roundly expected to defeat the Southeast Asian side, and they lived up to expectations with three early goals, before adding another 10 more in a blistering second half to record the biggest ever World Cup win.

Well beaten, but with their arduous first assignment now behind them, Thailand’s attention now turns to what they hope will be more competitive remaining Group F fixtures against Sweden and Chile.