Video – just 4 minutes.. Japan shock Tunisia and Renard with controversial goal

The Tunisian national team got off to a poor start in the first match under French coach Herve Renard after conceding an early goal against Japan after just four minutes in the second round of the 2026 World Cup Group Six clash.

Daichi Kamada quickly opened the scoring for the Japanese in the fourth minute when he took advantage of Keito Nakamura’s perfect pass in the penalty area and fired the ball into the net to give the Samurais the lead with an unanswered goal.

The Tunisian players protested the goal, claiming that there was a push by Kamada before the kick, but the referee decided to recognize it as valid.

Tunisia came close to opening the scoring minutes before the Japanese goal when Hannibal Mejbri fired a powerful shot just wide of the crossbar in the third minute, before the Japanese side punished their opponents with an early goal that upset the Carthage Eagles.

The match has particular significance for Tunisia as it is coach Herve Renard’s first since he took over on an emergency basis, replacing Sabri Lamouchi, who was sacked following a brutal 5-1 first-round defeat by Sweden.

Renard was hired by the Tunisian federation hoping to salvage their World Cup dream, drawing on his vast experience in difficult situations after he previously led Saudi Arabia to a historic victory over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, in addition to his continental success with Zambia and Ivory Coast.

Tunisia entered the group game without a point in bottom of the group, while Japan had a point after a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in the first round, making the clash the last chance for the Carthage Eagles to revive their qualification hopes.