Ueda Ayase (2nd L) of Japan shoots to score during the group F match between Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
MONTERREY, Mexico, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Ayase Ueda scored twice as Japan eliminated Tunisia from the FIFA World Cup with a 4-0 win in their Group F clash on Saturday.
Ueda struck in each half while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito were also on target as Japan clinched its first win of the campaign.
Tunisia has conceded nine goals and scored just one in its first two games and cannot avoid finishing last in the group even if it beats the Netherlands in Kansas City on Thursday.
Japan, which is second in the group behind the Netherlands, will face Sweden in Dallas, also on Thursday.
Saturday's match at Monterrey Stadium marked the 1000th fixture in the 96-year history of the World Cup finals.
Tunisia entered the game under new manager Herve Renard after Sabri Lamouchi was sacked in the wake of a 5-1 defeat by Sweden in their World Cup opener.
But from the outset, it was clear the change would not provide an instant remedy for the African team.
Japan took the lead in the fourth minute when Keito Nakamura reached the left byline and squared the ball to Kamada, who fired in at the near post.
The Samurai Blue was carving open Tunisia's defense and Dylan Bronn did well to cut out Ueda's dangerous cross. Moments later, Aymen Dahmen palmed away Takehiro Tomiyasu's goal-bound effort inches from the line.
Tunisia settled into the contest and enjoyed more possession as the half wore on, but rarely threatened Japan's goal.
Japan extended its lead just after the half hour as Ueda was allowed to advance unchecked before lashing an unstoppable shot into the bottom far corner.
The pattern continued after the break as Japan continued to pressure Tunisia's defense.
Tanaka almost extended his team's lead by combining with Nakamura before rifling a shot just wide of the left post.
Tunisia finally opened up Japan's defense when Yan Valery dribbled into the area before his cross to the unmarked Hannibal Mejbri was intercepted by Ko Itakura.
Just when it appeared that Japan was content to play for time and maintain its lead, the Asian side struck again.
Ueda did well to flick on Tanaka's through ball and Ito held off Ben Hamida's challenge to finish clinically past Dahmen.
Ito continued to trouble Tunisia's defense and helped create Japan's fourth goal by releasing Kaishu Sano down the right. The Mainz midfielder's cross found Ueda, whose looping header beat Dahmen. ■
Ueda Ayase (2nd L) of Japan shoots to score during the group F match between Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Yan Valery (L) of Tunisia vies with Ito Hiroki of Japan during the group F match between Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
Yan Valery (front L) of Tunisia vies with Nakamura Keito (front R) of Japan during the group F match between Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida of Tunisia vies with Ito Junya (R) of Japan during the group F match between Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
Ali Abdi of Tunisia vies with Ito Junya (R) of Japan during the group F match between Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
Firas Chaouat (rear) of Tunisia vies with Seko Ayumu of Japan during the group F match between Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Wei)
Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida (R) of Tunisia vies with Suzuki Yuito (L, front) of Japan during the group F match between Japan and Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)