Japan booked their place in the last 16 of the World Cup after outstanding first-half free-kicks from Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo sent them on their way to a 3-1 victory over Denmark in Rustenburg.

Needing only a draw to qualify from Group E, the Asians took the lead in the 17th minute when CSKA Moscow midfielder Honda bent in his set piece from 30 yards on the right. Although not as spectacular, Endo's 20-yard effort followed on the half-hour mark when the outstretched Thomas Sorensen was beaten for the second time.

Jon Dahl Tomasson saw his penalty saved nine minutes from the end, but bundled in the rebound to give his side a glimmer of hope, only for Shinji Okazaki to seal Japan's triumph and book a second round tie against Paraguay.