Japan moved one step closer to reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time after pummeling Tunisia 4-0 in Group F, securing a milestone victory in the tournament's 1,000th men's match. Japan's four goals were the most the Samurai Blue have ever scored in a World Cup game, as it comfortably dismantled a Tunisia side that became the first to ever fire its coach after the opening match. Ayase Ueda scored twice, along with Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito to put Japan level with the Netherlands on four points.

The Dutch are currently on top of the group due to having scored one more goal than Japan across its two matches. Even after leading 2-0 just over half an hour into the match, Japan continued to apply pressure to a disjointed Tunisian defense. "If we are able to get as many goals as possible, that would give the team confidence," said Hajime Moriyasu, the first head coach to lead Japan at consecutive World Cups.