Japan thrash Tunisia as Ueda scores twice in World Cup milestone match

MONTERREY: Japan recorded a convincing 4-0 victory over Tunisia in Group F on Saturday in the 1,000th match in World Cup history, with Ayase Ueda scoring twice as the North African side crashed out of the tournament.

Hajime Moriyasu’s team, who had opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, made an immediate impact. Japan went in front after only four minutes when a flowing move ended with Keito Nakamura pulling the ball back for Daichi Kamada, who finished the chance.

Tunisia, who had lost 5-1 to Sweden in their first outing and were playing under new coach Herve Renard, found it difficult from the start to deal with Japan’s pressure and movement. Japan nearly added another in the 11th minute through an attack down the right, but Tunisia defender Dylan Bronn diverted a low delivery away from Kamada. From the corner that followed, goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen made an important stop, with goal-line technology confirming the ball had not crossed the line.

Japan continued to control possession in the Monterrey heat, while their attacking players pressed Tunisia’s defence and stopped Renard’s side from settling into the game. The second goal came in the 31st minute when Ueda moved towards the edge of the penalty area and, with defenders retreating, struck a low effort into the far corner.

Tunisia created little in response, and Japan effectively sealed the outcome in the 69th minute. Kamada’s pass split the Tunisian back line and Junya Ito ran through before finishing low past Dahmen.

Ueda got his second goal six minutes from the end, connecting with Kaishu Sano’s clipped ball to the far post and steering a header into the top corner. The result made Japan the first Asian side to score four goals in a World Cup match.

With the win, Japan moved onto four points, level with the Netherlands, who defeated Sweden 5-1. Tunisia became the third team to be eliminated from the competition after Haiti and Turkiye.