Japan Denied by a Millimeter in Dramatic World Cup Moment

Japan and Tunisia met in Monterrey in the final morning match of the 2026 World Cup, and the game started quickly with an opening goal after just four minutes. But the standout moment of the first half came soon afterward, when Japan came within a hair’s breadth of scoring again.

In the 10th minute, after another near miss by Japan, a dangerous cross was almost turned in at the far post. Takehiro Tomiyasu redirected the ball toward goal, but Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen produced a huge save. The entire stadium initially appeared to think it was a goal, and even VAR needed time before reaching its decision.

The goal-line technology image made clear why. Japan’s effort was stopped by only millimeters, and without that system the goal likely would have been awarded. The article described the sequence as an astonishing escape for Tunisia and urged viewers to watch the clip in the story player above.