Japan's Keito Nakamura (left) and Tunisia's Yan Valery fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group F match at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico. on Sunday morning. Photo: AFP
Japan marked the 1 000th game in the history of the Fifa World Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia on Sunday morning to close in on a place in the last 32.
Ayase Ueda scored twice while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito were also on target as the Asian giants joined the Netherlands on four points at the top of Group F. Tunisia, who were thumped 5-1 by Sweden in their first game of the tournament, can no longer hope for a place in the knockout rounds.
The Blue Samurai, who held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in their Group F opener, were always in control against Tunisia at the Monterrey Stadium.
The result marked a losing start for new Tunisia manager Hervé Renard, who was hastily appointed to take over the World Cup campaign after predecessor Sabri Lamouchi was sacked in the wake of the Sweden drubbing.
