Japan moved to the brink of the FIFA World Cup last 32 with a commanding 4-0 victory over Tunisia on Saturday, in the tournament’s 1,000th match.
Ayase Ueda scored twice, while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito also found the net as Japan climbed level on four points with the Netherlands at the top of Group F.
The defeat ended Tunisia’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage after they had also suffered a heavy 5-1 loss to Sweden in their opening match.
Japan, who drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in their Group F opener, dominated proceedings from the outset at Monterrey Stadium and were rewarded with an early breakthrough.
Kamada opened the scoring in the fourth minute, finishing from close range after a well-worked move involving Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura.
The Blue Samurai continued to press and came close to extending their lead, with Dylan Bronn producing a goal-line clearance to deny Japan, while goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was forced into several key saves.
Japan doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when Ueda capitalised on hesitant Tunisian defending, driving forward before firing a low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Tunisia, playing their first match under newly appointed coach Herve Renard following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi, struggled to contain Japan’s fluid attacking play and rarely threatened.
Ito added a third goal in the 69th minute after latching onto a precise through ball and calmly slotting home, before Ueda completed the scoring with a looping header seven minutes from time.
The convincing victory strengthened Japan’s hopes of advancing to the knockout rounds, while Tunisia exited the competition with one group match remaining.
