Aya Sameshima scored in the 6th minute as defending champion Japan became the first team at the Women's World Cup to secure a berth in the knockout stage with a 2-1 victory over Cameroon on Friday night.
Yuika Sugasawa added a header off a cross by Aya Miyama in the 17th minute for Japan (2-0), which held on for the win despite a strong performance by Cameroon.
Cameroon scored in the 90th minute after a strong run and shot by Ajara Nchout.
Cameroon nearly tied the score in stoppage time on a header by Gaelle Enganamouit, but her shot missed just to the left.