Tunisia dominated by Japan in second straight four-goal defeat

MONTERREY, Mexico — Hervé Renard’s introduction into a Tunisian side four days ago gave the Eagles of Carthage supporters and players hope for improvement going into their final two group stage matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

That faded almost as soon as Tunisia’s Saturday, June 20 match against Japan began, when Daichi Kamada scored Japan’s first goal in the fourth minute. Tunisia surrendered a goal in the first seven minutes for the second game in a row.

By the time the match was done, Ayase Ueda had Japan’s first-ever brace and Japan had four goals, the most ever scored by a team representing Asia in a World Cup match.

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Tunisia, even with its new coach, had the same result: a crushing, four-goal loss. This loss eliminates Tunisia from advancing past the group stage, a feat the Eagles of Carthage have yet to achieve in their World Cup history.

“This isn't the expected performance,” said Renard. “We were hoping for a greater reaction, a better performance.”

The Eagles of Carthage were six days removed from a 5-1 defeat to Sweden that led to Sabri Lamouchi's firing. Tunisia became the first country to fire its coach after just one World Cup match. Renard’s introduction on Tuesday gave Tunisia just four days together before kickoff against the Blue Samurai.

The 57-year-old Frenchman is a veteran of the international game, having managed Zambia twice, Angola, Ivory Coast, Morocco, and now Tunisia, over a coaching career spanning more than two decades.

In his introductory press conference, Renard tried to breathe new life into the Tunisian side.

“There are still two matches to go in the group stage, and in football, where there’s life, there’s hope," said Renard.

Kamada’s early goal dampened any optimism. Then, in the 31st minute, Ueda scored the first of his two goals to give Japan a 2-0 lead at the half.

It was more of the same for Tunisia in the second half: minimal attacking amid Japanese pressure. The Samurai Blue would add two more goals to secure the three points and a 4-0 victory.

“Unfortunately, the score is heavy in the second game,” said Renard. “This reflects the difference between the two teams that played tonight.”

Tunisian players backed their head coach, noting the new sense of confidence and energy brought into the locker room.

“[Hervé Renard] came and he did his job really well. He gave us some new energy, but it was not enough,” said Tunisian midfielder Anis Ben Slimane.

With the Eagles of Carthage now officially eliminated, they will attempt to end their World Cup campaign on a positive note against the Netherlands on Thursday, June 25.

Evan Waldman and Brooks Thomason are students in the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.

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