Football: Japan thump China 7-0 to open final-round World Cup qualifiers

Takumi Minamino hit a brace and Junya Ito returned with a goal and two assists as Japan demolished China 7-0 at home to begin their 2026 World Cup final-round Asian qualifiers on Thursday.

Goals from Wataru Endo and Kaoru Mitoma gave the home team a 2-0 lead at the break at Saitama Stadium, where late goals from Daizen Maeda and Takefusa Kubo completed the rout in the Group C opener, a fixture that Japan had lost in their last two final-round campaigns.

“The players prepared well, making use of the bitter experience from the past,” manager Hajime Moriyasu said. “Only one game is out of the way, and nothing has been decided yet whatsoever. We’ll keep playing without forgetting this mindset of grinding out a result each game.”

Japan, starting with three at the back and Kubo and Minamino playing behind lone striker Ayase Ueda, led in the 12th minute when Kubo’s corner found unmarked captain Endo to bury a thumping header past Wang Dalei.

Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma (7) scores against China during the first half of a 2026 World Cup final-round Asian qualifier at Saitama Stadium in Saitama on Sept. 5, 2024. (Kyodo)

Hidemasa Morita failed to convert two good chances, but Japan, 18th in the FIFA rankings, eventually made their domination count in first-half stoppage time as Ritsu Doan’s deep cross was headed into the opposite corner by Mitoma to double the lead.

China are managed by Croatian Branko Ivankovic, who was in charge of Oman when they won 1-0 away to Japan in their 2022 World Cup final-round qualifying opener. The 87th-ranked visitors had one shot all game, however, and remained pinned back throughout.

Japan’s Takumi Minamino (2nd from L) scores against China during the second half of a 2026 World Cup final-round Asian qualifier at Saitama Stadium on Sept. 5, 2024. (Kyodo)

Minamino got Japan’s third in the 52nd minute after Mitoma threaded the ball into the box. From a tight angle, Minamino nutmegged his marker before curling home into the far corner.

The Monaco man got his second six minutes later after Ueda blocked his marker outside the box, allowing his teammate to drive into the box and slot into the bottom corner for another fine finish.

Japan’s Junya Ito hugs Takefusa Kubo (20) after Ito scored against China during the second half of a 2026 World Cup final-round Asian qualifier at Saitama Stadium in Saitama on Sept. 5, 2024. (Kyodo)

Ito came on just past the hour mark to thunderous applause from the home fans for his first appearance since the Asian Cup in February. The pacey winger marked the occasion with a goal as his low shot from inside the area deflected into the net in the 77th minute.

An Ito cross was nodded in on a bounce by fellow substitute Daizen Maeda in the 87th minute before Ito set up Kubo’s emphatic finish in the final action of the game as Japan, who gave defender Kota Takai his debut a day after turning 20, made the best possible start to the campaign.

“I was part of the squad when we lost the opener last time. We had this common understanding that things will get significantly tough if we lose,” Minamino said. “I’m really glad to have come away with this sort of a result.”

Japan’s Daizen Maeda (C) scores against China during the second half of a 2026 World Cup final-round Asian qualifier at Saitama Stadium in Saitama on Sept. 5, 2024. (Kyodo)

The top two teams from the group qualify automatically for the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Japan next play on Tuesday away to Bahrain, who won 1-0 at Australia.

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