Japan celebrated the 1,000th game in World Cup history with a commanding 4-0 victory over Tunisia on Saturday, moving to the brink of the round of 32. Ayase Ueda scored twice, while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito added goals as the Asian giants dominated Group F.
The win puts Japan level on four points with the Netherlands at the top of the group, while Tunisia's second straight defeat eliminates them from the tournament. The Tunisians, who lost 5-1 to Sweden in their opener, never threatened a slick Japanese side that controlled possession from the start.
Kamada opened the scoring in the fourth minute, finishing from close range after clever interplay by Ao Tanaka and Keito Nakamura. Japan nearly doubled the lead moments later, only for a goal-line clearance by Dylan Bronn to deny them. Goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen also made several saves to keep Tunisia in the match.
Ueda finally added a second in the 31st minute, taking advantage of hesitant defending to blast a low shot into the corner from the edge of the area. Ito made it 3-0 in the 69th minute, calmly slotting home after a brilliant through ball, and Ueda completed his brace with a looping header in the 83rd minute.
The result marked a losing start for new Tunisia manager Herve Renard, who was appointed after Sabri Lamouchi was sacked following the Sweden defeat. Japan, who drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in their opener, now need just a point from their final group match to advance.