Japan delivered a historic performance, defeating Tunisia 4-0 in a Group F match on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Monterrey, Mexico. The victory propelled Japan closer to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, marking the 1,000th men's match in tournament history with the country's most dominant display.
Fastest Goal in Japan's World Cup History
Daichi Kamada opened the scoring in the fourth minute, the fastest goal ever scored by Japan in a World Cup match. The early strike set the tone for a relentless Japanese attack that overwhelmed Tunisia's defense.
Ayase Ueda doubled the lead in the 31st minute, and Junya Itō added a third in the 69th minute. Ueda completed his brace with a masterful looping header in the 83rd minute, sealing the 4-0 victory.
Historic Scoring Feat
The four goals are the most Japan has ever scored in a single World Cup game. The Samurai Blue now have four points from two matches, level with the Netherlands, but the Dutch hold the top spot due to a superior goal difference. Japan's next match is against Sweden in Dallas on Thursday, June 25, while Tunisia faces the Netherlands in Kansas City.
Tunisia's Coaching Change Fails to Stem Defeat
Tunisia, which became the first team to fire its coach after the opening game, appointed two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Hervé Renard following a 5-1 loss to Sweden. However, the coaching change could not contain Japan's speedy attack, and Tunisia failed to create clear scoring opportunities. The loss eliminated Tunisia from the tournament.
