Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Japan's Ayase Ueda celebrates after scoring against Tunisia.
On The 42
Comfortable
Four-goal Japan overwhelm Tunisia to edge towards World Cup last-32
Ayase Ueda scored twice while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito were also on target.
Japan 4
Tunisia 0
JAPAN MARKED THE 1,000th game in the history of the World Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia on Saturday to close in on a place in the last 32.
Ayase Ueda scored twice while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito were also on target as the Asian giants joined the Netherlands on four points at the top of Group F.
🇹🇳 0-1 🇯🇵
It has taken four minutes for Japan to break down Tunisia - Daichi Kamada converting from close range
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/LyjHaGG3qn— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 21, 2026Advertisement
Tunisia, who were thumped 5-1 by Sweden in their first game of the tournament, can no longer hope for a place in the knockout rounds.
The Blue Samurai, who held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in their Group F opener, were always in control against Tunisia at the Monterrey Stadium.
The result marked a losing start for new Tunisia manager Herve Renard, who was hastily appointed to take over the World Cup campaign after predecessor Sabri Lamouchi was sacked in the wake of the Sweden drubbing.
🇹🇳 0-2 🇯🇵
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 21, 2026
Ayase Ueda belts in Japan's second goal from the edge of the area
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/pGM8MHAnIf
But Renard’s team never looked like threatening a technically superior Japanese side that were quickly into their trademark, smooth passing game.
Daichi Kamada opened the scoring after just four minutes, finishing from close range after deft interplay from Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura.
The Japanese almost scored again moments later, with only a desperate goalline clearance from Dylan Bronn denying the Asian giants a second goal.
🇹🇳 0-3 🇯🇵
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 21, 2026
Japan finally crack the Tunisian defence for a third time - Junya Ito racing through to finish neatly
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/nn0IvXKIFP
Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was also working overtime, and had to claw away a shot that just went agonisingly short of crossing the goalline.
Japan though finally added to their tally in the 31st minute, with striker Ueda taking advantage of some hesitant Tunisian defending to surge forward and thunder a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
🇹🇳 0-4 🇯🇵
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 21, 2026
Lovely looping, loopy header from Ayase Ueda as Japan become first Asian side to score four at a World Cup
Watch all 104 games from the #FIFAWorldCup on RTÉ pic.twitter.com/qEsjIDRHaL
The rout continued in the second half, with Junya Ito latching onto a brilliant through ball to calmly finish on 69 minutes before Ueda scored again with a looping header in the 83rd minute.
****
- Check out the latest episode of The 42′s Football Family podcast here
3 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Submit a report
Please choose a reason for reporting this comment. Your report will be reviewed by our moderation team
have your say