World Cup 2026: Japan starts fast, finishes strong as Ayase Ueda pairs 2 goals with assist in domination of Tunisia

Japan forward Ayase Ueda celebrates after scoring in the first half at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico, on June 20, 2026. (Photo by Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP via Getty Images) JULIO CESAR AGUILAR via Getty Images New manager, same end result for Tunisia in 2026 World Cup group play: a multi-goal defeat, this one to Japan on Saturday night in Guadalupe, Mexico. In an act of desperation, the Carthage Eagles brought in Hervé Renard to resuscitate the squad following its 5-1 defeat to Sweden last week. But, with only a matter of days to leave an imprint on his new team, Renard — who previously managed Saudi Arabia as well as the French women’s national team, among others — couldn’t change Tunisia’s fortune in this year’s tournament. Japan’s 3-0 victory in Monterrey Stadium eliminated Tunisia from knockout-round contention. It featured Ayase Ueda, who collected two goals and an assist, and the blowout brought Samurai Blue to the top of Group F alongside a Netherlands team Japan tied 2-2. Like the Netherlands, Japan has four points. They have the same goal differential, too, as the Netherlands shellacked Sweden 5-1 earlier in the day. Japan-Tunisia marked the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history. It was more lopsided than it was competitive. Under Sabri Lamouchi, the Carthage Eagles conceded Sweden’s first goal seven minutes into the teams’ World Cup opener. With Renard at the helm, Tunisia didn’t fare much better in the early going. It was staring at a one-goal hole four minutes into its second match of the tournament. That deficit only grew from that point forward. This story is being updated.