With absolute dominance on the field from start to finish, the Japan thrashed Tunisia 4-0 this Saturday (20) and, with this second consecutive defeat, the North African country’s team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, thus joining Turkey and Haiti.
The great victory of the ‘Blue Samurai’ at the Monterrey Stadium, in Mexicofeatured two spectacular goals from striker Ayase Ueda, who opened the scoring with a shot from outside the box (31′) and then with a header (83′). The other two goals were scored by Keito Nakamura (4′) and Junya Ito (69′).
After this match, the thousandth in the history of the World Cup, Japan is tied with the Dutch team at the top of Group F.
Both have four points and the same goal difference, although the Europeans are ahead having scored one more goal after beating Sweden 5-1 on Saturday.
Japan set the pace right from the start. At four minutes, a beautiful collective move ended with Keito Nakamurapositioned on the left of the Tunisian box, passing the ball to Daichi Kamada, who was waiting right in front of the goal.
Passing through a wall of African defenders, Kamada sent the ball into the back of the net.
While Tunisia tried unsuccessfully to reorganize itself, aA pass from Itakura in midfield found the dangerous Ueda. From the right edge of the area, the Feyenoord striker fired a cross shot that goalkeeper Dahmen was unable to reach.
The third goal, which practically assured the victory, came from a good pass by Ueda, finished with skill by Junya Ito. He left two defenders behind and shot past the Tunisian goalkeeper.
In the final stretch, Ueda covered two defenders and the ball ended up in the back of the net.
For the Tunisian team, which had started their campaign with a humiliating 5-1 defeat suffered against Sweden, not even the replacement of French coach Sabri Lamouchi by his compatriot Hervé Renard proved effective.
Unable to threaten the opponent’s goal and unable to react against the dynamic and disciplined Japanese team, the North African team made clear the reasons for its early elimination.
In the third and final round, Japan will face Sweden on Thursday, at 8 pm, while the Tunisians and Dutch duel at the same time.
Lineups:
Tunisia: Aymen Dahmen – Omar Rekik, Montassar Talbi, Dylan Bronn (Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida 46′) – Yan Valery, Ellyes Skhiri (cap) (Rani Khedira 90+1′), Anis Ben Slimane, Ali Abdy (Elias Achouri 90+1′) – Elias Saad (Ismaël Gharbi 46′) – Hannibal Mejbri, Sebastian Tounekti (Firas Chaouat 64′). Technico: Hervé Renard.
Japão: Zion Suzuki – Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ayumu Seko 79′), Kou Itakura (cap), Hiroki Ito – Ritsu Doan (Yukinari Sugawara 74), Kaishu Sano, Ao Tanaka, Keito Nakamura (Yuito Suzuki 79′) – Junya Ito, Ayase Ueda (Keisuke Goto 85′) – Daichi Kamada (Junnosuke Suzuki 74′). Técnico: Hajime Moriyasu.
