The Nadeshiko don’t yet know whether they’ll meet Canada or the Netherlands in Tuesday’s Round of 16 clash in Rennes, but, according to Takakura, it will make little difference to their prospects of success of France unless they can produce better performances.

“If we maintain the way we are playing at the moment, we will be knocked out in the next round,” she said. “Our players are aware of that.”

England made eight changes to the side that beat Argentina 1-0 last Friday, but a brace from Ellen White meant the Nadeshiko finished the first part of their campaign as Group D runners-up.

Asako Takakura’s side will now meet either the Netherlands or Canada in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, after Scotland and Argentina drew 3-3 in the other Group D match.

Both the Thais and Chile remain without a point so far, but the competition format – which allows the four best third placed teams to advance alongside the top two sides in each group – adds an air of possibility to their tie at Roazhon Park on Thursday.

Thailand require not only a win but draws in two other relevant matches if they are to pull off the most unlikely of achievements, but Nuengrutai called on her charges to embrace the opportunity, come what may.

The prolific 25-year-old was stunning in Australia’s 4-1 win over the Reggae Girlz, scoring two headers in the first-half, before finding the back of the net twice more with her left foot after the break.

In doing so, Kerr not only joined United States forward Alex Morgan, with five goals, on the top of the tournament’s scoring charts but became the first Australian player to score a World Cup hat-trick.

She is also the first player, man or woman, from any AFC nation to hit the back of the net four times in a senior World Cup match.

The Matildas victory means they will now meet Norway in the Round of 16, after they finished in second place on the group table, narrowly ahead of Brazil, who beat Italy 1-0 in the other Group C match.

Kerr scored twice in each half to help the Matildas to their second successive win, with her sensational display taking her level with Alex Morgan as the competition’s top scorer on five goals.

The Steel Roses survived 23 Spanish shots at goal, with goalkeeper Peng Shimeng turning in a Player of the Match performance to take her side to the Round of 16 with a 0-0 draw against Spain.

With over 40 years of experience in the game, and not having a reputation for wearing his heart on his sleeve, Jia surprised many - including his star 21-year-old shot-stopper - by showing his emotions after the final whistle.

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.