KUCHING: Japan became the first Asian nation to score four goals in a match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they thrashed Tunisia 4-0 on Saturday, claiming their first victory of the tournament and eliminating the North Africans from Round of 32 contention.
After sharing the spoils with the Netherlands in a thrilling 2-2 draw in their opening Group F encounter, the Samurai Blue produced a ruthless response in Monterrey Stadium of Mexico to move within touching distance of the knockout stage.
Japan needed just four minutes to break the deadlock through Daichi Kamada, whose close-range finish capped a flowing move and set a new record for the nation’s fastest goal at a World Cup.
The move began on the right before sweeping across the pitch, with Keito Nakamura cutting the ball back for Kamada to bundle home and hand Japan the perfect start.
The early breakthrough knocked Tunisia out of their rhythm and Japan continued to dominate possession and territory.
Their superiority was rewarded again in the 31st minute when Ayase Ueda was afforded too much space on the edge of the penalty area. The Feyenoord striker advanced unchallenged before drilling a low effort through the legs of defender Montassar Talbi and into the far corner.
Tunisia, who had conceded five goals in their opening defeat to Sweden, struggled to contain Japan’s movement and attacking intensity throughout the first half.
The Samurai Blue maintained their grip on the contest after the restart and effectively ended any hopes of a comeback in the 69th minute.
Kamada turned provider this time, producing a clever first-time pass that carved open the Tunisian defence and sent Junya Ito racing clear before the winger calmly slotted past goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen.
Japan completed the rout late on when Tunisia again surrendered possession in midfield.
Kaishu Sano delivered a looping cross towards the far post and Ueda rose highest to guide a header back across goal, with the ball sailing over Dahmen and two covering defenders before dropping into the far corner.
The striker’s second goal of the night completed a dominant Japanese performance and officially ended Tunisia’s hopes of reaching the Round of 32 after successive defeats in Group F.
Japan’s control extended far beyond the scoreline. The Samurai Blue produced 11 shots to Tunisia’s two, forced five efforts on target while allowing none, completed 528 passes and limited Tunisia to an xG of just 0.05 in a one-sided display that underlined their growing credentials at the tournament
Japan will face Sweden on June 26 in their final Group F match, with top spot potentially on the line after the Samurai Blue’s historic victory.
