Japan took a giant stride toward the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, producing a dazzling attacking display to crush Tunisia 4-0 in Group F and move level on points with the Netherlands at the top of the standings.
The emphatic victory was a landmark moment for the Samurai Blue, as their four-goal haul marked the highest-scoring performance in Japan’s World Cup history. Goals from Daichi Kamada, Ayase Ueda (two), and Junya Itō powered Hajime Moriyasu’s side to four points from two matches and left them firmly in control of their destiny heading into the final group game.
Japan now sits level with the Netherlands on four points, trailing only on goal difference after the Dutch scored one more goal across their opening two matches. Meanwhile, Tunisia’s second consecutive defeat confirmed their elimination from the tournament.
Japan wasted little time asserting their dominance. Just four minutes into the contest, Keito Nakamura delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area, where Daichi Kamada arrived unmarked to guide the ball into the net. The goal was the fastest Japan has ever scored at a World Cup and immediately put Tunisia on the back foot.
The early breakthrough energized the Japanese attack, which repeatedly exposed Tunisia’s defense with quick passing and relentless movement. Tunisia, desperate for a response after their humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening match, struggled to gain a foothold in the game.
Japan doubled its lead in the 31st minute thanks to a brilliant individual effort from Ayase Ueda.
Receiving possession near midfield, the Feyenoord striker surged forward toward the Tunisian penalty area. With teammates making runs around him, many expected Ueda to pass, but the 27-year-old had other ideas. He unleashed a powerful angled strike from outside the box that curled into the far corner beyond goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen.
The goal highlighted the confidence of a player coming off a sensational club campaign in which he scored 24 goals for Feyenoord and finished as the Eredivisie’s leading scorer.
At halftime, Japan held a comfortable 2-0 advantage and looked capable of adding more.
Tunisia entered the match under new leadership after becoming the first team at this World Cup to dismiss its coach following the opening game. The federation turned to experienced manager Hervé Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations-winning coach, in hopes of reviving the Eagles of Carthage’s campaign.
However, Renard’s arrival could not solve Tunisia’s problems against Japan’s pace and organization.
The North African side struggled to create meaningful opportunities and rarely threatened Japan’s defense. Their inability to cope with the Samurai Blue’s quick transitions left them chasing shadows for much of the evening.
The result was effectively secured in the 69th minute when Ueda turned provider. The striker flicked a pass into the path of Junya Itō, who raced clear on goal and calmly slotted his finish past Dahmen to make it 3-0.
Japan’s fourth goal arrived seven minutes from time and fittingly belonged to Ueda. The forward rose above the Tunisian defense to meet a cross with a looping header that sailed into the net, capping a magnificent individual performance and sealing the largest World Cup victory in Japanese history.
The victory guarantees Japan will finish no lower than third place in Group F, a position that could still be enough to advance under the tournament’s expanded format. More importantly, it puts the Samurai Blue on the verge of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for the fourth consecutive tournament.
Japan’s impressive run of form also continues a remarkable trend, as they have not lost to a European opponent in regulation time since 2019.
The Samurai Blue will now turn their attention to a decisive clash with Sweden in Dallas on Thursday, with first place in the group potentially at stake. Tunisia, meanwhile, will conclude its World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Kansas City, hoping to salvage pride after a disappointing tournament.
For Japan, though, this was a night to celebrate. Clinical finishing, attacking flair, and a record-breaking performance have put them within touching distance of another World Cup knockout-stage appearance and reinforced their status as one of the tournament’s most dangerous teams.
