Ueda’s brace fires Japan past Tunisia and to the brink of the last 32

Japan turned a tricky-looking group game into a procession in Monterrey, brushing aside Tunisia 4-0 to move level at the top of Group F and all but book their place in the World Cup’s last 32. Ayase Ueda scored twice, Daichi Kamada set the tone inside four minutes, and Junya Ito added the third as Hajime Moriyasu’s side produced their most convincing 90 minutes of the tournament so far.

For Tunisia the result was terminal. A second straight defeat, after the 5-1 loss to Sweden, leaves them on zero points with one game to play and no way back into the knockout race.

Kamada gets Japan going early

Japan barely needed to settle. Keito Nakamura got to the byline and pulled the ball back, and Kamada was on hand to turn it in from close range in the fourth minute, a goal that calmed any nerves left over from the opening-night draw with the Netherlands. From there Japan controlled the tempo, moving the ball quickly through midfield and pinning Tunisia back for long stretches.

The second arrived on the half hour. Ueda drove a low strike from the edge of the box to put Japan two clear, rewarding the pressure they had built. At 2-0 by the interval, the game already had the look of one Tunisia could not rescue.

Ueda and Ito finish the job

Ito made it three in the 69th minute, taking a clever flick from Ueda and rolling his finish into the corner. Ueda then completed his brace late on, rising to head home a second far-post cross in the 83rd minute to round off a performance that will do plenty for his confidence as a focal point for this Japan attack.

It was the kind of front-foot display Japan have promised for a while. They drew with the Netherlands in their opener when Kamada struck late to share the points, and there were questions about whether they could turn possession into goals. Four against Tunisia answered them emphatically.

Group F goes to the final round

The win lifts Japan to four points, level with the Netherlands, who beat Sweden 5-1 in the group’s other game. The Dutch sit top on goals scored, with Japan second and Sweden third on three points. Tunisia are out.

That sets up a tense final round of fixtures. Japan and the Netherlands are both in strong shape, and even a third-place finish would likely be enough to progress under the expanded format that takes the best third-placed sides through. Win or draw their last game and Japan are certain of the next stage.

For now, Moriyasu will take the clean sheet and the goals. After a cautious start to the tournament, Japan look like a side growing into it at the right time.

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