A Lee Kang-in brace, a deflected strike from Lee Dong-gyeong and a Marius Marin own goal at Kashima Soccer Stadium ensured Kim's charges will go into the final round of Group B fixtures needing just a point to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Having lost 1-0 to New Zealand in their Matchday One tie last Thursday, Korea Republic had been up against it ahead of the tie against the Europeans but their win now puts a different spin on the final round's permutations.

Bronze medalists in 2012, Korea have made the quarter-finals in three of the past four editions of the Games and, currently sat top of Group B on goal difference, they need only a point against Honduras at Yokohama International Stadium to secure qualification.

But with all four teams in the group – the others being New Zealand and Romania – sat level on three points following a win and a defeat each, the situation could barely be any closer ahead of the final round of fixtures.

It is a scenario that any Australian would have gleefully signed up for before the competition began.

Drawn into the tournament’s group of death – re-framed as the “group of dreams” by their upbeat head coach Graham Arnold – the Olyroos stunned Argentina 2-0 in their opening match, then held Spain scoreless for 80 minutes before finally succumbing to a 1-0 defeat.

A draw will be enough for the Japanese to seal top spot in Group A and set up a quarter-final meeting with the runners-up from Group B as the nation looks to secure their first Olympic medal in 53 years.

The Japanese go into the game off the back of consecutive wins over South Africa and Mexico, but Moriyasu is taking nothing for granted against a French side that needs to win to have any hope of advancing.

Defeats in two closely fought encounters against Côte d'Ivoire and Germany meant the young Green Falcons’ hopes were dashed ahead of the final matchday, but there is still reason for Salem Al Dawsari and company to fight as they dream of a first-ever win in the Olympics for Saudi Arabia.

With a primarily domestic-based line-up, the Olyroos ceded possession and created few chances, but kept a team which featured several starters from the Spanish senior side which reached the UEFA Euro 2020 semi-finals scoreless until Mikel Oyarzabal netted a decisive 80th-minute header.

Takefusa Kubo and Ritsu Doan scored in the first 11 minutes to send Japan on their way to a 2-1 win over Mexico at Saitama Stadium that gives Hajime Moriyasu’s side six points from their first two games having already defeated South Africa.