Japan arrived at Estadio BBVA as clear favourites and ultimately justified that billing, but Tunisia made them work for every inch of it. Hajime Moriyasu's side controlled the ball from the first whistle in a 4-2-3-1, recycling possession patiently through Wataru Endo and Ao Tanaka in the double pivot. Yet it was Tunisia who broke the deadlock — Ellyes Skhiri robbed Daichi Kamada 35 yards out, drove forward and slid a perfectly weighted pass into Hannibal Mejbri's run. The Burnley midfielder took one touch and lashed a left-footed drive into the top corner, silencing the majority-neutral crowd. Japan responded with urgency but found Aymen Dahmen in inspired form, twice denying Ayase Ueda before the break. The second half told a different story. Moriyasu introduced Daizen Maeda at half-time, shifting Kubo into a more central role, and the Real Sociedad man became uncontrollable. His mazy run and cutback on 57 minutes was converted calmly by Ueda at the back post. Japan's tails were up, and on 78 minutes Kamada split the Tunisian defence with a laser-guided through ball; Ritsu Dōan, arriving late from midfield, slotted past Dahmen to seal the win. Tunisia pushed desperately for an equaliser but ran out of ideas against Japan's disciplined defensive press. A deserved Japan victory — but Tunisia showed they will not be pushovers in Group F.

• Japan dominated possession (62%) and created 2.41 xG — their highest in a World Cup group opener in 16 years.
• Hannibal Mejbri's thunderous 34th-minute strike gave Tunisia a shock lead against the run of play.
• Takefusa Kubo's dribbling was unplayable in the second half — 6 successful dribbles, 2 key passes.
• Tunisia's defensive shape held for 56 minutes but crumbled once Japan's pressing intensity increased after the break.
• Ritsu Dōan's winner came from a Daichi Kamada through-ball — the Crystal Palace man's vision unlocked the Tunisian low block.
• Tunisia's back-line was exposed without suspended Talbi — Ben Hamida and Bronn struggled against Japan's movement.