Andre-Pierre Gignac scored a second-half hat-trick as France came from behind three times to beat South Africa 4-3 and keep their Olympic hopes alive.
Having lost their Group A opener, France looked to be heading out until former Marseille striker Gignac completed his treble from the penalty spot to level for a third time on 85 minutes, before Teji Savanier grabbed an injury-time winner.
Gignac, who currently plays for Tigres in Mexico, is now top scorer in Tokyo with four goals from two matches.
South Africa, whose hopes of qualifying have now been ended, led three times through second-half goals from Kobamelo Kodisang, Evidence Makgopa and Teboho Mokoena.
Hosts Japan made it two wins from two later on Sunday, beating Mexico 2-1.
Brazil held & Argentina have fresh hope
Defending champions Brazil were held to a goalless draw by Ivory Coast in Group D, after Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz was sent off for a trip on former Leeds winger Max Gradel on just 13 minutes.
Luiz was initially booked, but the yellow card was upgraded to red by VAR, after he was deemed to deny a goalscoring opportunity.
Ivory Coast, who won their opener against Saudi Arabia, also had a player dismissed late on as Eboue Kouassi received a second yellow card.
Brazil, captained by former Barcelona defender Dani Alves, still top the group after thrashing Germany in their opening match.
Elsewhere, Facundo Medina gave Argentina their first win of the Games with a 1-0 victory over Egypt, while also in Group B, Mikel Oyarzabal's late strike saw Spain beat Australia to open their account.
Burnley striker Chris Wood was on target in New Zealand's 3-2 loss to Honduras and, in the same group, South Korea thrashed Romania 4-0, leaving all the teams on three points after two matches.
Latest Stories
-
DAMC, Free Food Company, to distribute 10,000 packs of food to street kids
55 minutes -
Kwame Boafo Akuffo: Court ruling on re-collation flawed
1 hour -
Samuel Yaw Adusei: The strategist behind NDC’s electoral security in Ashanti region
1 hour -
I’m confident posterity will judge my performance well – Akufo-Addo
1 hour -
Syria’s minorities seek security as country charts new future
2 hours -
Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo re-appointed as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana
2 hours -
German police probe market attack security and warnings
2 hours -
Grief and anger in Magdeburg after Christmas market attack
2 hours -
Baltasar Coin becomes first Ghanaian meme coin to hit DEX Screener at $100K market cap
3 hours -
EC blames re-collation of disputed results on widespread lawlessness by party supporters
3 hours -
Top 20 Ghanaian songs released in 2024
4 hours -
Beating Messi’s Inter Miami to MLS Cup feels amazing – Joseph Paintsil
4 hours -
NDC administration will reverse all ‘last-minute’ gov’t employee promotions – Asiedu Nketiah
4 hours -
Kudus sights ‘authority and kingship’ for elephant stool celebration
4 hours -
We’ll embrace cutting-edge technologies to address emerging healthcare needs – Prof. Antwi-Kusi
5 hours