The first Asian team to score four goals at the World Cup as Japan beat Tunisia on a historic night

Asian giants Japan beat Tunisia 4-0 in the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history on Saturday 20 June at the Stadio Monterrey in Mexico, moving them to the brink of qualifying for the knockout stages. The result also confirmed Tunisia as the third team to crash out of the World Cup after suffering a second straight defeat in Group F.

Tunisia VS Japan 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP HEADLINERS

The landmark event carried special weight and almost a century had passed since the first FIFA World Cup match, which took place 96 years ago on 13 July 1930. With FIFA President Gianni Infantino among the dignitaries in attendance, the stage was set for a historic night in global football. Japan ensured it was memorable for all the right reasons with a performance defined by intensity, control and clinical finishing.

The game started at a frantic pace and Japan wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Daichi Kamada opened the scoring within four minutes, who was quickest to react inside the box when he latched on to Keito Nakamura’s low cross from close range. The early goal immediately put Tunisia on the back foot and forced them into reactive form as Japan dictated the tempo. Japan’s Kamada opens the scoring against Tunisia within four minutes of the start (Photo Reuters)

Tunisia struggled to settle into any sort of rhythm and their defensive structure quickly began to crumble under constant pressure. Japan almost doubled their lead soon after when the ball just crept over the line – only for the records to show it didn’t go over, by the narrowest of margins.

However, in the 30th minute, Japan took advantage again when Ayase Ueda doubled their lead. Ueda collected the ball just outside the box and unleashed a fierce low drive that flew into the far corner, leaving the Tunisian goalkeeper with no chance. By this stage, Japan were in full control, pressing high and moving the ball with confidence, while Tunisia constantly chased the shadows.

After the break, Japan showed maturity in controlling the game, slowing down the pace while still maintaining an attacking threat. Their patience paid off in the 69th minute when Ueda turned provider and lifted a clever, perfectly balanced pass over the Tunisian back line. Junya Ito timed his run to perfection and calmly finished to make it 3-0, effectively ending any hopes of a Tunisian comeback.

A HISTORICAL NIGHT

Ueda then capped off a fine individual performance with his second major contribution of the night. He rose to the deep center and guided a precise header into the net to seal Japan’s fourth goal. With the strike, Japan made history as the first Asian nation to score four goals in a single FIFA World Cup match.

Ueda also became just the second player in this edition of the tournament, after Cody Gakpo, to record both a brace and an assist in the same game.

The win moves Japan level with the Netherlands on four points in Group F and leaves them in a good position to advance to the final group matches. For Tunisia, the defeat proved decisive. Under new head coach Herve Renard, who was appointed after a heavy 5-1 loss to Sweden, they became the third team eliminated from the tournament, joining Haiti and Turkey in exiting the competition at the group stage.

When the final whistle confirmed the score at 4-0, attention returned to the significance of the occasion itself. The 1,000th match of the World Cup served as a reminder of the tournament’s long and rich history, dating back to its inaugural year in 1930. On this milestone night, Japan produced a performance that matched the magnitude of the moment.

From the opening whistle to the final goal, Japan combined sharp pressing, technical precision and ruthless finishing to overwhelm Tunisia. It was a complete display that not only secured a vital win but also etched their name in World Cup history on a night that will be remembered long after the tournament is over.

Japan next face Sweden on June 26 in a decider to automatically qualify for the knockout stages of the World Cup, while the Netherlands face a battered Tunisian side.

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Published on:

June 21, 2026 12:25 PM IST