Japan Crushes Tunisia, Sets Record for Most Goals by an Asian Nation in World Cup History

"Asia's strongest" Japan has made history in the 1,000th match in World Cup history, pouring in four goals against Tunisia.
The Japanese national football team, led by head coach Hajime Moriyasu, secured a 4-0 victory over Tunisia in their second Group F match of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, held at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico today (June 21).
The 4-0 win marks the highest number of goals scored in a single match by any Asian team in World Cup history.
The World Cup, which began with the opening match between France and Mexico at the 1930 Uruguay tournament, reached its 23rd edition with this North and Central America tournament, and the match between Japan and Tunisia today was the 1,000th game in the tournament's history.
With this match, Japan secured its first win of the tournament.
Furthermore, Japan broke the losing streak of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member nations, which had been mired in six consecutive losses after an initial six-game unbeaten run at the start of the tournament, defending the pride of Asian football.
Group F, which includes the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia, is considered the "Group of Death" in this tournament.
Japan, which drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in the first match, now has 4 points (1 win, 1 draw). They sit in second place in the group, trailing the Netherlands (4 points), who previously defeated Sweden 5-1, on goal difference.
Japan took control early against Tunisia, who were in a chaotic state after firing head coach Sabri Lamouchi and appointing Herve Renard following their first-match loss (a 1-5 defeat to Sweden).
The opening goal came just four minutes into the first half.
Keito Nakamura penetrated the left side of the penalty area and sent a cutback that deflected off Daichi Kamada's heel and rolled into the net.
It is the fastest goal in Japan's World Cup history.
Kamada, who also scored a lucky first goal in the previous match against the Netherlands when Koki Ogawa's header deflected off his head, has now scored in two consecutive matches.
In the 31st minute of the first half, Ueda scored an additional goal to extend the lead.
Dribbling the ball into the penalty area, Ueda took advantage of loose defensive pressure to fire a shot through the defender's legs without hesitation, making it 2-0.
Japan's offensive did not stop in the second half, even with a two-goal cushion.
In the 24th minute of the second half, Ueda received a through pass from Takehiro Tomiyasu and dropped it behind the defense with a one-touch pass, instantly breaking down Tunisia's defensive line. Junya Ito received the ball and calmly slotted it into the bottom right corner of the net.
In the 38th minute of the second half, Ueda completed his multi-goal game, giving Japan a 4-0 lead for the first time in their World Cup history.
Keisuke Goto received a pass from Ito on the right side of the goal and delivered an accurate cutback cross to the wide-open space on the other side, which Ueda leaped to head into the bottom right corner, writing a new chapter in Asian football history.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.