Japan got off to a flying start just 18 seconds into the game when Momoko Tanikawa drove forward and picked out the top corner from distance.

Mina Tanaka doubled Japan’s lead shortly afterwards but a goal from Lina Caicedo in first-half stoppage time kept the contest in the balance.

Both Hamano and Ramirez were introduced ahead of the second period, and our Japanese attacker didn’t need long to make an impact. She was released down the right-hand channel and sprinted into the box before firing an excellent finish into the far corner from 12 yards out.

Tanaka completed the scoring from the penalty spot with 10 minutes remaining, leaving Japan in a strong position to win the SheBelieves Cup having beaten Australia 4-0 in their opening game.

They are level on points with hosts USA but with a significantly superior goal difference ahead of a meeting between the sides in San Diego on Wednesday.

America will come into that game off the back of a hard-fought 2-1 win against Australia on Sunday, when Catarina Macario was an unused substitute.

On Saturday Ashley Lawrence came off the bench in the second half as Canada followed that up with a 2-0 win over Mexico in their second game of the Pinatar Cup.