Japan celebrated their 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history with a commanding 4-0 victory over Tunisia to move closer to securing a place in the Round of 32.
Ayase Ueda scored twice, while Daichi Kamada and Junya Ito were also on target as the Asian giants joined the Netherlands on four points at the top of Group F.
Tunisia, who were hammered 5-1 by Sweden in their opening game, were eliminated from the tournament after suffering a second consecutive defeat.
The Blue Samurai, who held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw in their opening fixture, dominated proceedings at Monterrey Stadium from start to finish.
Elsewhere, World Cup debutants Curaçao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament, made history by holding Ecuador to a goalless draw and earning their first-ever World Cup point.
Scenes of jubilation erupted at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium as head coach Dick Advocaat was overcome with emotion and fans clad in Curaçao blue celebrated wildly in the stands.
Veteran goalkeeper Eloy Room emerged as the hero of the night, producing an astonishing 15 saves to deny Ecuador and preserve a famous clean sheet.
The 37-year-old’s display came within one save of matching the overall World Cup record set by former United States goalkeeper Tim Howard, who made 16 saves against Belgium at the 2014 tournament.
Speaking after the match, Room joked that his heroic performance deserved a permanent tribute.
“I think I need a statue in Curaçao now,” he said.
Although Howard still holds the overall record, his 16 saves came over 120 minutes, while Room’s feat set a new World Cup mark for the most saves in a regulation 90-minute match and the most saves in a clean sheet.
“A little bit annoyed that I don’t have the record from Tim Howard, but I think he was sweating in front of the TV because I was close,” Room added.
Among those present to witness the historic moment were Willem-Alexander and Máxima Zorreguieta.
The Dutch royals had earlier watched the Netherlands defeat Sweden before ending the day by seeing constituent nation Curaçao write a memorable chapter in World Cup history.
(The Whistler)
