Japan crushes Tunisia 4-0 in historic 1,000th World Cup match as Ueda scores twice

Japan delivered a statement performance on the biggest stage in football, dismantling Tunisia 4-0 in a match that happened to be the 1,000th in men’s World Cup history. Striker Ayase Ueda netted twice, but it was the collective dominance of Japan’s attack that told the real story.

The June 20 Group F clash at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico, was effectively over before halftime. Tunisia, already under pressure entering the match, never found an answer to Japan’s relentless pressing and clinical finishing.

Four goals, four different scorers, one message

Daichi Kamada wasted no time setting the tone. His fourth-minute strike was the fastest goal in Japanese World Cup history, a record that immediately put Tunisia on the back foot and gave Japan the early cushion they needed to control the match.

Ueda added the second in the 31st minute, converting with an angled shot. His goal doubled the lead and, for all practical purposes, settled the contest before the break.

Junya Ito extended the advantage in the 69th minute, making it three. Then Ueda completed his brace in the 83rd minute with a looping header, putting the finishing touch on a performance that was as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests.

What this means for Group F

The result pushed Japan to four points in Group F, level with the Netherlands. For Tunisia, the North African side was eliminated from the tournament with zero points.

Ueda’s trajectory from squad player to starring role

Ayase Ueda’s World Cup journey didn’t start in Mexico. He was part of Japan’s squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he gained valuable experience on the tournament’s biggest stage.

His recent form heading into the tournament was impossible to ignore. During Japan’s qualifying campaign, Ueda recorded a hat-trick against Myanmar. A brace in a World Cup match, particularly one with the historical significance of being the 1,000th, only adds to that trajectory.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.