Jan Bednarek ensured Poland would leave Russia with something to smile about - but it was Japanese coach Akira Nishino who was grinning at the final whistle.

Southampton’s defender netted a 58th minute winner to restore some Polish pride - and it looked for a while that would be enough to knock their opponents out of qualification for the knockout phase.

But when news filtered through from Samara that Yerry Mina had found the net 16 minutes from time the situation changed - as Japan had progressed to the last 16 on the Fair Play rule.