Thailand came from behind to beat Ivory Coast 3-2 in the Women's World Cup to keep alive their hopes of a quarter-final place.

With Germany and Norway drawing 1-1 in Group B's earlier encounter, both sides - who went into the clash on zero points - knew that victory was crucial in order to preserve their chances of reaching the last eight.

The Africans were subjected to a 10-0 demolition by Germany in their opening game to send the collective morale plummeting.

Nevertheless, they looked like responding well to that annihilation when Ange Nguessan fired them ahead after just four minutes in Ottawa.

Having conceded 10 times to the Germans, a question mark was always going to hang over the Ivorians' defence and Thailand equalised on 26 minutes when Orathai Srimanee tapped home inside the six-yard box.

Ivory Coast came within millimetres of re-establishing the lead on 45 minutes when Ines Nrehy struck the crossbar - a miss that would prove costly moments later.

Srimanee helped Thailand into a slender 2-1 half-time lead when her powerful header was too good for Dominique Thiamale in the third minute of injury time.

Ivory Coast had an abundance of second-half shots on goal before Thanatta Chawong - who replaced Srimanee moments earlier - headed home a third on 75 minutes to seal a two-goal cushion.

Josee Nahi threw her side a lifeline on 88 minutes, but the Thai held on.

Thailand remain third with three points, one behind co-leaders Norway and Germany.