Eredivisie’s leading scorer struck twice against Tunisia at the World Cup, yet Japan’s forward says the moments after scoring are never really about him. Japan’s 4-0 victory over Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup delivered another statement performance from a side that continues to emerge as one of the tournament’s most impressive teams. Daichi Kamada opened the scoring, Junya Ito added another after the interval, and Ayase Ueda produced a clinical brace as the Samurai Blue moved level on points with the Netherlands in Group F.Yet while Ueda’s goals helped drive Japan towards the knockout stages, the 27-year-old forward remains one of the more understated figures among the tournament’s leading scorers.Ueda arrived at the World Cup as the leading scorer in the Eredivisie and enhanced that reputation again against Tunisia, scoring his first two World Cup goals in a single match. You would expect a wild celebration on football’s biggest stage, but his reaction after finding the net stood in contrast to the increasingly elaborate celebrations that often accompany goals at this level.There were no choreographed routines, no theatrical gestures towards the crowd and no attempts to turn the spotlight entirely onto himself. Instead, Ueda responded in the same manner that has become familiar throughout his career, offering a calm gesture of appreciation before quickly returning his focus to the match.
Japan’s Ayase Ueda, left, and Daichi Kamada celebrate after Ueda scored their second goal during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Tunisia and Japan in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Sofia Yaker)
Speaking previously in an interview with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Ueda explained why those moments matter differently to him.“It’s my style, my modesty,” Ueda said. “When I’ve scored, I hear the fans and their joy. I let that sink in. I also think of my wife who has always supported me.”
A performance that helped shape a historic night for Japan
While the celebrations remained restrained, Ueda’s contribution against Tunisia was decisive, not only because of the quality of his finishing but because the goals represented a personal milestone on football’s biggest stage.The two strikes against Tunisia were the first FIFA World Cup goals of Ueda’s career. Although he featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and made his tournament debut in Japan’s group-stage match against Costa Rica, where he played 45 minutes, he left that competition without scoring. His breakthrough finally arrived four years later in what was also the 1,000th match in World Cup history.Japan established control of the match early at Monterrey Stadium when Keito Nakamura supplied a precise pass for Daichi Kamada, who calmly converted in the fourth minute to hand Hajime Moriyasu’s side an immediate advantage.Japan’s second goal arrived in the 31st minute and showcased the qualities that have made Ueda one of Europe’s most productive forwards. Defender Ko Itakura delivered a pinpoint long-range ball into the penalty area, allowing Ueda to time his run perfectly, beat the Tunisian defensive line, bring the ball under control and finish clinically beyond the goalkeeper.
Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen fails to stop Japan’s Ayase Ueda from scoring his team’s second goal during a World Cup Group F soccer match in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
The match continued to tilt heavily in Japan’s favour as the second half unfolded. In the 69th minute Ueda turned provider, supplying Junya Ito for Japan’s third goal of the evening before returning to the scoresheet himself in the closing stages.Ayase Ueda’s second goal of the match in the 83rd minute saw Japan midfielder Kaishū Sano drive forward from midfield as the Samurai Blue built a flowing move down the right flank, with sharp pass-and-move play opening up Tunisia’s defence. Sano then delivered a perfectly weighted cross toward the far post, where the Feyenoord striker climbed high above his markers, timing his leap exquisitely, and guided a looping header over goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen and the scrambling defenders into the net to complete his brace and Japan’s 4-0 victory.
Japan’s Ayase Ueda, center, scores their fourth goal with a header against Tunisia during the World Cup Group F soccer match in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The result carried significance beyond the three points. Japan became the first Asian nation in FIFA World Cup history to score four goals in a single World Cup match, adding another landmark achievement to an increasingly impressive campaign.The performance also continued a rich vein of form that had already established Ueda as one of Japan’s most important attacking players before the tournament began. The Feyenoord forward entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 38 senior caps and 16 international goals for Japan. Following appearances against the Netherlands and Tunisia, including his brace against the latter, Ueda’s international record now stands at 40 caps and 18 goals for the Samurai Blue.His influence had been particularly evident during Japan’s qualification campaign. Ueda finished as the Samurai Blue’s leading scorer during the AFC qualifying rounds, scoring eight goals in nine appearances. Among the highlights were a hat-trick against Myanmar in the opening phase of qualification and a clinical brace against Syria as Japan secured their place at the finals.He also carried momentum into the tournament from the international friendlies that preceded it. Ueda scored twice in Japan’s World Cup preparations, including the match-winning header in a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Brazil in Tokyo, a result that further reinforced his growing importance to Moriyasu’s side.
Family remains at the centre of Ueda’s football journey
According to USA Today, Ueda’s perspective on scoring is closely connected to his upbringing in Mito, Ibaraki, and the sacrifices made by those around him throughout his development as a footballer.Rather than viewing goals as personal achievements, he sees them as moments that belong to the people who helped him reach the highest level of the game.His father played a major role in introducing him to football, while his wider family provided support throughout the years required to progress from a promising youngster into an international striker competing on the World Cup stage.That background continues to shape the way he approaches success.“My family in Japan too,” Ueda said. “That I am here now thanks to them. I am very happy when I score, but I especially like that I can make others happy.”
Japan’s Ayase Ueda celebrates scoring his side’s second goal against Tunisia during the World Cup Group F soccer match in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
For supporters watching from the stands or on television, the celebration may appear understated compared with many of football’s more recognisable goal celebrations.For Ueda, however, the gesture serves a specific purpose.The moment is not reserved for personal recognition. It is an acknowledgement of family members back home, teammates on the pitch, supporters in the stadium and everyone who contributed to the journey that brought him to the World Cup.Even after scoring his first World Cup goals and helping Japan produce a historic result, his reaction remained unchanged. The expression was calm, the gesture restrained, but the meaning behind it reflected years of gratitude towards those who helped him reach this stage.
Japan strengthen their position in Group F
The victory over Tunisia significantly strengthened Japan’s position in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.The Netherlands currently sit top of Group F with four points and a plus-four goal difference, holding the tiebreaker advantage because they have scored seven goals compared with Japan’s six. The two nations remain level on points after their entertaining 2-2 draw earlier in the tournament.
Japan players acknowledge supporters after the World Cup Group F soccer match between Tunisia and Japan in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Addison Simmons)
Japan occupy second place, also with four points and an identical plus-four goal difference. Sweden remain in contention with three points, while Tunisia’s second defeat leaves them bottom of the group with zero points and officially eliminated from the competition.As the race for qualification enters its final stage, Japan’s chances of reaching the knockout rounds have been strengthened considerably.For Ueda, meanwhile, another productive night at the World Cup brought more evidence of his importance to the national team. The goals against Tunisia were not only his first on the World Cup stage but the latest chapter in a scoring run that stretches from qualification through the tournament itself.
