Japan delivered a dominant performance to beat Tunisia 4-0 in the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history, strengthening their chances of reaching the knockout stage of the 2026 tournament.
The Asian side looked sharp from the opening whistle and quickly took control of the Group F clash. Their attacking movement and quick passing caused problems for Tunisia throughout the match, while the North African side struggled to create meaningful opportunities.
The victory moved Japan to four points from two matches after their draw against the Netherlands in the opening game. Tunisia, meanwhile, suffered a second consecutive defeat and was eliminated from the competition.
Ueda scores twice in convincing win
Japan opened the scoring in the fourth minute through Daichi Kamada, who finished off a well-worked move to give his team an early advantage. Ayase Ueda then doubled Japan’s lead before halftime, rewarding the team’s sustained attacking pressure. Tunisia attempted to respond after the break but found it difficult to break down Japan’s organised defence.
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Junya Ito added a third goal in the 69th minute to put the result beyond doubt. Ueda completed the scoring late in the match, heading home his second goal of the evening to cap off an outstanding individual display.
Tunisia 0-4 Japan: Ueda at the double as Renard's comeback falls flat in milestone World Cup clash https://t.co/qwCu0kTVv2
— じぇいびー (@zakki_soccer) June 21, 2026
The striker’s brace highlighted Japan’s attacking strength and continued his impressive run of form on the international stage.
Japan is closing in on knockout qualification
The win was significant not only because of the scoreline but also because it came in the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history. Japan marked the occasion with one of its most convincing performances at the tournament.
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With four points on the board, Japan are now in a strong position to qualify for the Round of 32 heading into their final group-stage match. Confidence within the squad will also be high after such a commanding victory.
For Tunisia, the defeat brought an end to their World Cup campaign. Despite entering the tournament with hopes of progressing from the group, back-to-back losses ensured an early exit. Japan will now focus on securing qualification, while Tunisia return home disappointed after failing to register a point in Group F
