The Eredivisie’s top scorer scored twice against Tunisia at the World Cup, but the Japan striker says the moments after scoring are never really about him. Japan’s 4-0 win over Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup provided another notable 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 break 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 have helped propel Japan towards the knockout stages, the 27-year-old striker remains one of the more underrated figures among the tournament’s leading scorers.Ueda arrived at the World Cup as the Eredivisie’s leading goalscorer, and he reinforced that reputation again against Tunisia, scoring his first two World Cup goals in one game. You’d expect wild celebrations on football’s biggest stage, but his reaction after hitting the net was at odds with the increasingly elaborate celebrations that often accompany goals at this level.There were no choreographed routines, theatrical gesticulations to the audience, and no attempts to turn the spotlight entirely on oneself. Instead, Ueda responded in the same manner that has become famous throughout his career, offering a calm gesture of thanks before quickly returning his focus to the match.
Japan’s Ayase Ueda, left, and Daichi Kamada celebrate after Ueda scored his 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 earlier in an interview with the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Ueda explained why these moments matter differently to him.“That’s my style, my modesty,” Ueda said. “When I score, I hear the fans and their joy. I let it seep into my eyes. 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 subdued, Ueda’s contribution against Tunisia was crucial, not only for the quality of his finishing but also because the goals represented a personal milestone on football’s biggest stage.The two goals against Tunisia were the first FIFA World Cup goals of Ueda’s career. Although he appeared at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and made his debut in Japan’s group stage match against Costa Rica, where he played 45 minutes, he left the competition without scoring a goal. His breakthrough finally came four years later in what was also the 1,000th match in World Cup history.Japan took early control of the game at the Monterrey Stadium when Keito Nakamura fed a pinpoint pass for Daichi Kamada, who calmly converted in the fourth minute to give Hajime Moriyasu’s side an immediate lead.Japan’s second goal came in the 31st minute and showed the qualities that have made Ueda one of Europe’s most prolific strikers. Defender Ko Itakura delivered a precise 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 above the goalkeeper.
Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen fails to prevent 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 game continued to swing heavily in Japan’s favor as the second half unfolded. In the 69th minute, Ueda turned provider, setting up Junya Ito for Japan’s third goal of the night before getting back on the scoresheet himself in the closing stages.Ayasa Ueda’s second goal of the game in the 83rd minute saw Japanese midfielder Kaishū Sano rush forward from midfield as Samurai Blue built a movement down the right flank, opening up Tunisia’s defense with sharp passing and moving play. Sano then delivered a perfectly timed cross towards the far post, where the Feyenoord striker rose high above his defenders, timing his dive superbly, and headed the ball over goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen and running defenders into the net to complete his goal and Japan’s 4-0 win.
Japan’s Ayase Ueda, center, scores her fourth goal with a header against Tunisia during a World Cup Group F soccer match in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The result had a significance of more than 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 notable 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. After appearances against the Netherlands and Tunisia, including a brace against the latter, Ueda’s international tally now stands at 40 appearances and 18 goals for the Samurai Blue.His influence was particularly visible during the qualification campaign for Japan. 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 the qualifiers and a clinical performance against Syria as Japan secured their place in the final.He also brought momentum to the tournament from the international friends who preceded him. Ueda scored twice in Japan’s World Cup build-up, including the winning header in a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Brazil in Tokyo, a result that further cemented his growing importance to Moriyasu’s side.
Family remains at the center of Ueda’s football journey
According to USA Today, Ueda’s outlook on scoring is closely tied to his upbringing in Mito, Ibaraka, and the sacrifices made by those around him during his development as a soccer player.Instead of seeing 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 extended family supported him throughout the years it took to progress from a promising youngster to an international striker competing on the World Cup stage.That background continues to shape the way he approaches success.“And my family in Japan,” Ueda said. “That I am here now thanks to them. I am very happy when I score, but I especially like to be able to make other people happy.”
Japan’s Ayase Ueda celebrates scoring his team’s second goal against Tunisia during a World Cup Group F soccer match in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
To fans watching from the stands or on television, the celebration may seem understated compared to many of soccer’s more famous goal celebrations.For Ueda, however, the gesture serves a purpose.The moment is not reserved for personal recognition. It is a tribute to family members at home, teammates on the field, fans 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 achieve a historic result, his reaction remained unchanged. The expression on his face was calm, the gesture restrained, but the meaning behind it reflected years of gratitude to those who had helped him reach this stage.
Japan strengthened its position in Group F
The victory over Tunisia significantly strengthened Japan’s position in one of the most competitive groups of the tournament.The Netherlands currently top Group F with four points and a plus-four goal difference, holding the lead in the tiebreak as they scored seven goals compared to Japan’s six. The two nations remain level on points after an entertaining 2-2 draw earlier in the tournament.
Japan’s soccer players acknowledge the fans 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)
Second place is occupied by Japan, 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 qualification race enters its final stages, Japan’s chances of reaching the knockout round have increased significantly.For Ueda, however, 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 also the latest chapter in a streak that stretches from the qualifiers to the tournament itself.
