Japan recorded the largest winning margin ever achieved by an Asian nation at a World Cup as they swept past Tunisia 4-0 in Monterrey to all but secure a place in the knockout rounds.
The match carried additional historic weight as the 1,000th fixture in the tournament’s long history. Japan marked the milestone in emphatic style, with Daichi Kamada opening the scoring after just four minutes.
Kamada tapped in from close range after Keito Nakamura drove to the byline and cut the ball back across the face of goal. It was the earliest goal Japan have ever scored at a World Cup.
Ayase Ueda doubled the advantage on 31 minutes with a stunning effort from outside the area, arrowing a low strike into the far corner that left goalkeeper Maher Dahmen with no chance.
Tunisia were given little opportunity to recover. Their tournament had already unravelled before this fixture following a 5-1 opening defeat to Sweden, which led to coach Sabri Lamouchi being dismissed.
Replacement manager Herve Renard, who famously guided Saudi Arabia to a famous victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, was unable to halt the decline. Tunisia shipped four goals again and are now officially eliminated.
Junya Ito added a third on 69 minutes before Kaishu Sano delivered a cross that Ueda nodded home in the 83rd minute to complete his brace. Japan now have four goals in the game, their highest ever tally at a World Cup.
Japan move level on points with the Netherlands at the top of Group F. Their next outing is a decisive final group game against Sweden in Dallas.
Tunisia face the Netherlands in their final match, needing a result that cannot help them. They have conceded nine goals across two appearances and find themselves bottom of the group.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side may lack the marquee names of some of their rivals, but their intensity and tactical organisation continues to draw admiring glances from other nations in the tournament.
