Japan controlled the match from start to finish at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, with Daichi Kamada opening the scoring before Ueda’s outstanding performance helped secure a victory of the tournament.
Tunisia, who appointed veteran coach Herve Renard after their heavy opening defeat to Sweden, were unable to respond and became the third team eliminated from the competition after Haiti and Turkey.
Japan nearly earned a penalty inside the opening two minutes when Ueda was brought down by Ellyes Skhiri, but neither the referee nor VAR intervened.
The Blue Samurai took the lead in the fourth minute. Keito Nakamura surged down the left flank and delivered a low cross that found Kamada in the box, with the midfielder guiding the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Tunisia briefly threatened through Hannibal Mejbri, whose curling effort drifted narrowly over the bar, but Japan quickly reasserted control.
The Asian side almost doubled their advantage after 10 minutes when Tunisia goalkeeper Ayman Dahmen produced a remarkable double save, first stopping a deflected long-range effort on the goal line before reacting quickly to deny the rebound.
Japan’s pressure eventually paid off again in the 31st minute. Ueda collected possession on the right side of the penalty area, looked up and unleashed a powerful strike into the far corner beyond Dahmen’s reach for a superb individual goal.
Leading 2-0 at halftime, Japan continued to dictate play after the break while Tunisia struggled to create meaningful chances.
The North Africans came closest to pulling a goal back in the 50th minute when Ismael Gharbi delivered a low cross that found Mejbri, but the midfielder failed to make contact with the ball in front of goal.
Japan effectively sealed the result in the 68th minute. Ueda controlled a long pass and cleverly flicked it behind the Tunisian defense for Junya Ito, who held off his marker before calmly finishing into the bottom corner.
Ueda completed his brilliant game six minutes from time. Rising highest in the box, the Feyenoord striker directed a looping header beyond Dahmen to make it 4-0 and cap a performance that included two goals and an assist.
Tunisia rarely threatened in the closing stages, although substitute Ismael Gharbi and later Rani Khedira attempted to inject energy into the attack.
The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive victory for Japan, who now sit in a strong position to reach the knockout rounds after collecting six points from two matches.
For Tunisia, the defeat ended any hope of progression. After losses to Sweden and Japan, they became the third nation eliminated from the tournament and will play only for pride in their final group-stage match.
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