Tunisia v Japan
Play By Play
The full-time whistle sounds at Estadio Monterrey as Japan thrash Tunisia 4-0 and dump the North African side out of the World Cup! Japan made a fast start inside four minutes as Nakamura’s left-wing centre was flicked in by Kamada at the near post. Dahmen brilliantly denied Tomiyasu’s close-range effort, clawing his shot off the line, but could not do anything about Ueda’s exquisite 18-yard strike, which nestled in the bottom-left corner. Ito made it 3-0 in the 69th minute, rolling a finish past Dahmen before Sano’s right-wing delivery was looped into the bottom-right corner by an unmarked Ueda, seven minutes from time. The result sees Japan move above Sweden into second place in Group F, whereas Tunisia remain fourth. Tunisia created two shots, reflected by an xG of 0.05, whereas Japan registered 11 shots with five on target, highlighted by an xG of 2.07. That concludes our live commentary of this entertaining 2026 World Cup Group F contest. We hope you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading and take care!
FULL-TIME: TUNISIA 0-4 JAPAN
Japan will next take on Sweden in Group F, whereas Tunisia end their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands. It does not get any easier for Renard's side...
The second change sees Abdi replaced by Achouri. It's been a very tough watch for Tunisia supporters today. Their side have not been at the races...
A couple of more substitutions for Tunisia. The first sees Skhiri come off for Khedira.
There will be six minutes of additional time at the end of the second half.
Ueda is the second player to have a match with 2+ goals and an assist in this year's World Cup (Cody Gakpo earlier today for the Netherlands against Sweden).
Japan hero Ueda departs the field having scored two goals and assisted one. He is replaced by Goto. What a performance from Ueda!
Sano gets his first assist of the tournament, expertly finding Ueda inside the 18-yard box. Japan is also the first Asian nation to score four or more goals in a World Cup match.
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! UEDA HAS HIS SECOND AND JAPAN HAVE THEIR FOURTH!!! Sano floats a right-wing delivery into a dangerous area, with an unmarked Ueda brilliantly looping a header into the bottom-right corner! Tunisia are going out with a whimper! Tunisia 0-4 Japan!
Renard was brought in prior to this match to keep Tunisia's World Cup hopes alive. Now that the North African side are heading out of the tournament, will the Tunisian Football Federation retain his services?
Japan's captain has led the line for his side today. Itakura has attempted 80 passes in this game – it's the first time that a Japan player has attempted 80 passes or more in a single match in the World Cup and more than any other player in this game (ahead of Tomiyasu – 72 passes).
Former Arsenal and Ajax defender Tomiyasu is replaced by Seko. Tomiyasu was unfortunate not to find himself on the scoresheet in the first half, after Dahmen brilliantly clawed his effort off the line.
More changes for Japan see Nakamura come off for Suzuki.
Japan's three goals are tied for the most ever in a World Cup match by a team representing Asia. They previously did so against Denmark in 2010 with DPR Korea (1966) and Australia (2006) also doing so.
The second change sees Doan come off for Sugawara.
Play has resumed after the hydration break! Japan make a couple of substitutions. Kamada, who opened the scoring inside four minutes, is replaced by Suzuki.
Play has paused for another hydration break! Tunisia are heading out of the World Cup! It's been a poor showing from the North African side...
Ueda gets the assist after brilliantly flicking it on for Ito. The Japanese adds an assist to his first-half goal. Japan have been brilliant today!
GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!! ITO MAKES IT 3-0 TO JAPAN!!! Tanaka's pass to Ueda is flicked into the path of the lively Ito, who holds off the challenge of Ben Hmida before rolling a finish into the bottom-right corner! The Japan supporters are going WILD!
Hannibal has seen a lot more of the ball in the second half, but the midfielder's passing has been of poor quality. He tries to find Gharbi in the Japan half, but it's easily intercepted by Ito!
Another change for Tunisia sees Tounekti replaced by Chaouat. It's been a poor showing from Tounekti, who failed to have a shot on goal, and only touched the ball 16 times, completing nine passes.
Hannibal is penalised for bringing down Sano on the halfway line. The Burnley midfielder does not seem happy with that decision, but he needs to be careful that he does not end up talking his way into the referee's notebook!
This is the 11th time an Asian side has scored two goals against an African nation at the World Cup. However, an Asian team has yet to score three times in a World Cup match against an African team.
Japan win a corner on the right-hand side. Ito plays it short to Doan, but the midfielder sees his floated delivery blocked by Abdi. It's clear to see that Japan have taken their foot off the gas, but who can blame them?
