Japan crush Tunisia to close in on World Cup knockout stage

Japan moved a step closer to the FIFA World Cup knockout phase with a dominant 4-0 victory over Tunisia in Group F on Saturday, delivering one of the most impressive performances of the tournament so far.

The Samurai Blue overwhelmed their North African opponents from the outset, with Ayase Ueda scoring twice and Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito also finding the net in a one-sided contest.

The emphatic win lifted Japan to four points from two matches, keeping them firmly in the race for a place in the last 16. 

The result also ensured they would finish no lower than third in the group, a position that could still be enough to progress.

Japan made a dream start when Kamada opened the scoring just four minutes into the match. 

The midfielder converted a low cross from Keito Nakamura to register the fastest World Cup goal ever scored by Japan.

Tunisia, looking to revive their campaign after a heavy defeat in their opening game, struggled to cope with Japan‍‍`s speed and movement throughout the afternoon.

Ueda doubled the lead midway through the first half with a superb strike from distance, capping off a powerful run before curling the ball into the corner of the net.

The Feyenoord forward continued to torment Tunisia after the break. 

In the 69th minute, he played a key role in Japan‍‍`s third goal, setting up Ito, who calmly finished past goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen.

Ueda completed his outstanding display seven minutes from time, heading home his second goal of the match to seal Japan‍‍`s biggest-ever win at a World Cup.

The defeat brought Tunisia‍‍`s campaign to an end, with the African side unable to recover despite appointing experienced coach Hervé Renard in an attempt to spark a turnaround.

Japan will now turn their attention to a crucial meeting with Sweden, while Tunisia face the Netherlands in their final group-stage fixture.

With confidence growing and goals flowing, Japan have strengthened their hopes of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for a fourth straight tournament