Japan moved level with Netherlands at the top of Group F after a 4-0 win over Tunisia, keeping qualification hopes strong ahead of a final group match against Sweden. Ayase Ueda scored twice, with Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito also on target, as Japan extended an unbeaten World Cup run to four games and maintained a scoring streak in every match of that sequence.
Head coach Hajime Moriyasu said the performance came despite major disruption to preparations, with injuries affecting key players during the tournament. Captain Wataru Endo missed the entire campaign and announced retirement after being ruled out, while Takefusa Kubo suffered a knee injury against Netherlands, yet the wider squad adapted to those setbacks and delivered a dominant result
against Tunisia.
Moriyasu stressed the pressure around the fixture and praised how Japan coped with the global spotlight and injury problems during a crucial second group game. "It was our second game of the World Cup, a match of high tension, and one that people all over the world were watching,Moriyasu said. I am very happy that we were able to secure a victory in such a game. As a team, seeing players pick up injuries is, of course, highly regrettable and a painful blow.However, we have built this squad around the concept of whoever steps onto the pitch can win, and whoever partners up can function effectively. "
The result also carried historical weight for Japan at the World Cup. The four-match unbeaten sequence, with two wins and two draws, is the longest such stretch in the country’s tournament history. Japan have now scored in four successive World Cup fixtures, equalling their best scoring run, last achieved across the 1998 and 2002 editions, underlining consistent attacking output on the biggest stage.
Kamada delivered the opening goal after only four minutes, steering in from close range after a cross from Keito Nakamura. That strike became Japan’s earliest goal at any World Cup. It also meant Kamada matched Junichi Inamoto’s achievement from 2002, becoming only the second Japanese player to score in consecutive World Cup matches, adding individual significance to the team’s comfortable victory.
The Crystal Palace midfielder operated in a different role compared with recent international outings, playing higher up the pitch behind Ueda. Moriyasu highlighted that tactical switch and Kamada’s flexibility. "Daichi [Kamada]has mostly been deployed as a defensive midfielder recently,Moriyasu added. But considering our current team situation, we had him shift to the shadow striker position. The idea was to bring out his strengths and have him control the team's offence and defence from that advanced position. "
Ueda’s two goals and Ito’s finish completed the scoring against Tunisia at Estadio Monterrey, confirming the heaviest defeat of Renard’s short spell so far. For Japan, the result strengthened a strong position in Group F. For Sweden, heavily beaten 5-1 by Netherlands, the final round now brings extra pressure, while Japan know another positive result would confirm progress to the knockout phase.
For Tunisia, the loss sealed elimination and completed a turbulent spell. The team had already fallen to Sweden, after which Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed and replaced by Herve Renard, who previously coached Morocco and Saudi Arabia at World Cups. Tunisia became only the fifth team in tournament history to use more than one head coach in a single edition, and Renard could not halt the slide.
The scale of Tunisia’s defeats placed the team alongside some difficult historical company. Tunisia are now the fourth country to lose back-to-back matches at one World Cup by at least four goals, joining Greece in 1994, Korea Republic in 1954 and Bolivia in 1930. Renard accepted that the one-sided scoreline in the second match reflected the gap between the teams and spoke about the task still ahead. "It is not the performance we were hoping for. The score of this second match is difficult, but it reflects the difference between the two teams tonight, said Renard. Even if we are eliminated, we still have a third game to play. We are in a World Cup, and we must remain focused. It is important to get ready to fight for this third game.It's never easy after two losses, but we must take our responsibilities to be professionals to the very end. "
FIFA2026 2 🇯🇵SAMURAI BLUE 4-0NHK BS DAZN@FIFAWorldCup# #SAMURAIBLUE pic.twitter.com/u0omCXnT2B(@jfa_samuraiblue) June 21, 2026
Japan leave Estadio Monterrey with momentum, historic records matched or broken, and control of their qualification path. Tunisia exit the tournament after heavy defeats and a mid-competition change of head coach, while Renard and the squad still face one final group match to navigate, even with progression no longer possible.
