22/06/2026

SPORTS MONDAY | JUNE 22, 2026 30 J APAN produced one of the most impressive performances of the 2026 World Cup, thrash ing Tunisia 4-0 in Group F to take a giant step towards the knockout rounds while eliminat ing the North Africans from contention. The Samurai Blue were in complete control from start to finish at Estadio Monterrey, with Ayase Ueda scoring twice and Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito also finding the net in a dominant dis play that underlined Japan’s growing credentials as a potential dark horse in the tournament. Japan wasted little time asserting themselves, opening the scoring after just four minutes when Kamada continued his fine World Cup form by finishing off a flowing move. The early breakthrough settled Hajime Moriyasu’s side, who enjoyed the majority of pos

2026 WORLD CUP

Merciless Samurai Blue Japan rout Eagles of Carthage to move closer to knockout stage

shadow striker position today. “The idea was to bring out his strengths and have him control the team’s offence and defence from that advanced position.” “Ko Itakura and Takehiro Tomiyasu, these two have also played central roles in our team-build ing process up until now. We have always viewed them as players capable of competing at the true World Cup standard.” The emphatic victory lifts Japan into a strong position heading into their final group match against Sweden, while Tunisia, having conceded nine goals in two games, are left playing only for pride when they face the Netherlands. – Reuters/Agencies

Sweden, struggled to create any meaning ful chances. The Eagles of Carthage managed just two shots and failed to register an effort on target as Japan’s disciplined defence kept them at arm’s length. Any hopes of a Tunisian comeback dis appeared midway through the second half when Ito added a third goal in the 69th minute. Ueda then completed his brace seven minutes from time, putting the finishing touches on a memorable night for Japan and a miserable one for their opponents. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu praised his players for maintaining their intensity despite missing despite the absence of injured playmaker Takefusa Kubo. “It was our second game of the World Cup, a match of high tension, and one that people all over the world were watching. I am very happy that we were able to secure a victory in such a game,” Moriyasu said. “As a team, seeing players pick up injuries is, of

session and repeatedly exposed Tunisia’s fragile defence. Ueda doubled Japan’s advantage in the 31st minute, capping off a slick attacking move that left Tunisia chasing shadows. The striker was a constant

menace throughout the evening, leading the line with intel ligence and movement as Japan dictated the tempo. Tunisia, playing their first match under newly appointed coach Herve Renard after the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi following the 5-1 defeat to

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21/06/2026 (SUN)

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Draw Date: 21/06/26 (Sun)

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course, highly regretta ble and a painful blow. However, we have built this squad around the concept of whoever steps onto the pitch can win, and whoever partners up can function effectively. “Daichi (Kamada) has mostly been

Japan’s Daichi Kamada celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group F match against Tunisia at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

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Orange is the new black for Liverpool’s Gakpo

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season he scored only nine goals in 52 games. His Liverpool record stands at 50 goals in 180 games. Not bad, but not the same player Liverpool thought they were signing after his exploits in Qatar the summer he moved from PSV to Anfield, when he scored in all three World Cup group games. “It’s a little bit different,” Gakpo said, when asked to explain how he is able to perform to such a high level in a Dutch shirt. “How I play here, where the coach wants me to be, the freedom that I have at the club,” he said, before trailing off as if he’d said too much. “That’s it basically.” He was certainly helped yesterday in Houston by the presence of Brian Brobbey, the Sunderland striker who proved a nightmare for Sweden’s defence. “We knew his qualities all along, he’s very strong – very, very strong,” Gakpo laughed. “His hold-up play and coming at the right time into the box is amazing. “We used him very well today, with two pretty quick attacks. With the first one, he even held the ball in the beginning and ran towards the goal. So we used his quality very well and I’m very happy for him that he scored two goals.” – The Independent

BY LAWRENCE OSTLERE

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LIVERPOOL fans must have recog nised the scenario. It was the 54th minute of Netherlands’ World Cup meeting with Sweden, when Cody Gakpo received the ball on the left side of the penalty box and cut inside on to his right foot. Liverpool’s version – Premier League Gakpo – can often be found lashing the ball into a different time zone from this particular space. But this is World Cup Gakpo, Netherlands Gakpo, lithe and bal anced, ruthless and dead-eyed. He steadied himself before putting a piercing shot past Sweden goal keeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt. Gakpo has now scored five goals in seven World Cup matches after a starring role in this 5-1 win. He has 23 goals in 52 international appear ances, running at more than one every other game. It would be unfair to say he has never shown that form at Liverpool. Gakpo scored 18 goals in the club’s Premier League winning campaign in 2024/25 and became a key part of Arne Slot’s title winners, a grafter without the ball as well as an attack ing outlet with it. But those telling performances have become increasingly rare. Last

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