Explained: Why Japan striker Ayase Ueda ‘barely celebrated’ despite scoring his first 2 World Cup goals in one game

Japan’s Ayase Ueda (18) celebrates after scoring his second goal during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Tunisia and Japan in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sofia Yaker) The Eredivisie’s leading goalscorer struck twice against Tunisia at the World Cup, yet the Japanese forward says the moments after scoring are never about him. Japan’s 4-0 win over Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup produced another strong performance from a side that continues to emerge as one of the tournament’s most impressive teams. Daichi Kamada opened the scoring, Junya Ito added another after the break and Ayase Ueda produced a clinical brace as the Samurai Blue moved level on points with the Netherlands in Group F.Still, while Ueda’s goals helped propel Japan into the knockout stages, the 27-year-old forward remains one of the less underrated figures among the tournament’s top scorers.Ueda arrived at the World Cup as the top goalscorer in the Eredivisie and further enhanced that reputation against Tunisia, scoring his first two World Cup goals in a single game. You’d expect a wild celebration on football’s biggest stage, but his reaction after finding the net stood in contrast to the increasingly elaborate celebrations that often accompany goals at this level.There were no choreographed routines, no theatrical gestures towards the crowd, and no attempts to turn the spotlight entirely on themselves. Instead, Ueda responded in the same manner that has become famous throughout his career, offering a calm gesture of appreciation before quickly returning to the match.

Japan’s Ayase Ueda (left) and Daichi Kamada celebrate after Ueda scored his second goal during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Tunisia and Japan in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sofia Yaker)

In an interview with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad earlier, Ueda explained why these moments matter differently to him.“It’s my style, my modesty,” Ueda said. “When I scored a goal, I could hear the fans and their joy. I let it sink in. I also think about my wife, who has always supported me.”

A performance that helped shape Japan’s historic night

While the celebrations remained subdued, Ueda’s contribution against Tunisia was decisive, not only because of the quality of his finishing, but also because the goals represented a personal milestone on football’s biggest stage.The two strikes against Tunisia were the first FIFA World Cup goals of Ueda’s career. Despite featuring at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and making his tournament debut in Japan’s group stage match against Costa Rica, where he played 45 minutes, he left the competition without scoring. His breakthrough finally came four years later, which was also the 1000th match in World Cup history.Japan took control of the game early on at the Monterrey Stadium when Keito Nakamura provided a pinpoint pass to Daichi Kamado who calmly converted in the fourth minute to give Hajime Moriyasu’s side an immediate advantage.Japan’s second goal came in the 31st minute and showed the qualities that have made Ueda one of Europe’s most prolific strikers. Defender Ko Itakura delivered the ball into the penalty area from long range, allowing Uedo to time his run perfectly, break through the Tunisian defensive line, control the ball and finish the goalkeeper clinically.

Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen fails to stop Japan’s Ayase Ueda from scoring his team’s second goal during their World Cup Group F soccer match in Guadalupe near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

The game continued to tilt heavily in Japan’s favor as the second half unfolded. In the 69th minute, Ueda turned provider and set up Junya Ito for Japan’s third goal of the evening before getting back on the scoresheet himself in the closing stages.Ayase Ueda’s second goal of the game in the 83rd minute saw Japan midfielder Kaishū Sano race from midfield as the Samurai Blue built a fluid movement down the right flank, with sharp pass-and-move play opening up Tunisia’s defence. Sano then sent a perfectly balanced cross to the far post where the Feyenoord forward rose high above his markers, timed his dive superbly and directed a looping header past goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen and scrambling defenders into the net to complete his surge and a 4-0 victory for Japan.

Japan’s Ayase Ueda, center, scores his fourth goal with a header against Tunisia during a World Cup Group F soccer match in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

The result was significant for three points. Japan became the first Asian nation in FIFA World Cup history to score four goals in a single World Cup match, adding another major achievement to an increasingly impressive campaign.The performance also continued the rich form that had already established Ueda as one of Japan’s most important attacking players before the tournament began. The Feyenoord striker enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 38 senior caps and 16 international goals for Japan. After appearances against the Netherlands and Tunisia, including his brace against the latter, Ueda’s international record now stands at 40 caps and 18 goals for the Samurai Blue.His influence was particularly evident during Japan’s qualifying campaign. Ueda finished as Samurai Blue’s top scorer during the AFC qualifying rounds, scoring eight goals in nine games. Highlights included a hat-trick against Myanmar in the opening phase of the qualifiers and a clinical display against Syria as Japan secured their place in the finals.He also brought momentum to the tournament from the international friendlies that preceded it. Ueda scored twice in Japan’s World Cup build-up, including the winning header in a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Brazil in Tokyo, a result that further reinforced his growing importance in Moriyasu’s side.

Family remains at the center of Ueda’s football journey

According to USA Today, Ueda’s outlook on scoring is closely linked to his upbringing in Mito, Ibaraki, and the sacrifices his surroundings made during his football development.Instead of looking at goals as personal accomplishments, he sees them as moments that belong to the people who helped him reach the top level of his game.His father played a major role in introducing him to football, while his extended family provided the support throughout the years it took to transform a promising youngster into an international striker competing at the World Cup.This background continues to shape the way he approaches success.“My family is also in Japan,” Ueda said. “That I am here now thanks to them. I am very happy when I score a goal, but most of all I like that I can make other people happy.”

Japan’s Ayase Ueda celebrates scoring his team’s second goal against Tunisia during a World Cup Group F soccer match in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

For fans watching from the stands or on television, the celebration may seem understated compared to many of soccer’s famous goal celebrations.For Ueda, however, this gesture serves a specific purpose.The moment is not reserved for personal recognition. It is a thank you to family members at home, teammates on the field, fans in the stadium and everyone who contributed to the journey that brought him to the World Cup.Even after scoring his first World Cup goals and helping Japan to a historic result, his reaction remained unchanged. The expression was calm, the gesture restrained, but the meaning behind it reflected years of gratitude to those who had helped him reach this stage.

Japan strengthens its position in Group F

The win over Tunisia significantly cemented Japan’s position in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.The Netherlands currently top Group F with four points and a plus-four goal difference and hold the tiebreak advantage, having scored seven goals compared to Japan’s six. After an entertaining 2-2 draw at the start of the tournament, the two nations remain level on points.

Japanese players appreciate their supporters after the World Cup Group F soccer match between Tunisia and Japan in Guadalupe near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Addison Simmons)

Japan is in second place, also with four points and the same plus-four goal difference. Sweden remain in contention with three points, while Tunisia are on zero points in the group after their second defeat and are officially out of the competition.As the qualifying race enters its final phase, Japan’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages have increased significantly.For Ueda, meanwhile, another productive night at the World Cup provided further evidence of his importance to the national team. The goals against Tunisia were not only his first at the World Cup, but also the final chapter of a scoring streak that stretches from qualification to the tournament itself.