Japan produced a dominant display to defeat Tunisia 4-0, booking their place at the 2026 World Cup while sending their opponents crashing out of the competition.
Ayase Ueda was the standout performer on the night, scoring twice to help Japan to a commanding and emphatic victory in what was a one-sided contest.
The result marks a miserable start to life as Tunisia head coach for Herve Renard, who saw his side eliminated from the tournament in his very first game in charge.
Renard, a well-travelled and experienced international manager, could not inspire a response from his players as Japan took full control of the match early on.
Japan’s attacking play was sharp and purposeful throughout, and Tunisia simply had no answer to the threat posed by a side clearly operating at the peak of their powers.
Ueda’s brace was the highlight of the night, with the striker proving his quality at the highest level by delivering when it mattered most for his country.
Japan’s four goals without reply tells its own story, as Tunisia’s defence was repeatedly cut open and offered little resistance to wave after wave of Japanese pressure.
It is a brutal introduction to tournament management for Renard, who now faces the significant challenge of rebuilding Tunisian football following such a heavy defeat on the biggest stage.
For Japan, the victory represents further evidence of their growth as a genuine footballing nation, with performances like this suggesting they are more than capable of competing deep into the tournament.
The 4-0 scoreline will send a clear warning to Japan’s future opponents, as this was a complete and professional performance that demonstrated real quality and tactical discipline throughout the match.
