The former England international found the net in the 48th and 77th minutes and also assisted Lucas Silvawith a header in the 61st minute as the South Korean team secured their second victory in the eastern group stage of the tournament.

"“It’s crucial,” said 32-year-old Lingard about the win. "Every Champions League match, we know it’s a major game on a big stage.

”We had a different strategy and it paid off, the coach stuck to the plan, the players followed it, and we got the victory in the end.”

Lingard put FC Seoul ahead after Marko Dugandzic's pass but Mateus Vital equalized nine minutes later with a brilliant long-range strike.

Lucas Silva regained the lead by directing Lingard’s cross past goalkeeper Yan Junling and the formerManchester United attacker then confirmed the win with a first-time finish.

This victory moves FC Seoul to fourth place in the 12-team standings after five games, with the top eight advancing to the Round of 16 in March. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final will take place in Saudi Arabia in April.

Melbourne City matched points at nine with eastern group leaders Vissel Kobe, who face Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday, as Aurelio Vidmar's team secured a 2-0 win against Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Max Caputo scored a header to open the scoring in the third minute while substitute Medin Memeti added a second goal in stoppage time, earning the Australians their third consecutive win in the tournament.

Japan’s Machida Zelvia are third with eight points after a 3-1 victory over Gangwon FC of South Korea, thanks to first-half goals by Keiya Sento, Hokuto Shimoda and Oh Se-hun which secured the points for Go Kuroda’s squad.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima are in fifth place after drawing 1-1 with Chengdu Rongcheng in China, as Mitsuki Kato scored in the 63rd minute to equalize Felipe’s 54th-minute penalty goal.