Japan vs China

Japan's Samurai Blue Make China Feel the 'Seven-Heaven'!

Did Japan just break a world record against China? Spoiler alert: It's a 7-0 thrashing!

In a historic clash for World Cup glory, Japan left China reeling with a staggering 7-0 defeat in the Asian World Cup qualifiers. The Chinese coach, Branko Ivankovic, couldn't help but describe it as the "most difficult night" of his career. Watching his team crumble under Japanese pressure must have felt like a scene straight out of a horror movie rather than an international football match. With a target on their back, the stakes were high, but unfortunately for China, they left the pitch with their heads hung low and a record loss under their belt.

Japan’s formidable performance was spearheaded by their Premier League stars, with Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo both finding the back of the net as they turned the match into a goal-scoring fiesta. Minamino, another standout player, even netted a brace, much to the delight of the home crowd. The team's chemistry was evident, and fans couldn't get enough of the clinical precision with which they dismantled the Chinese defense. It was as if the Japanese players were on a mission to show off their skills—and boy, did they deliver!

The match, which took place in Saitama, Japan, not only marked the beginning of the third phase of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers but also sent a strong message to their Asian competitors. The Samurai Blue have proven that they are serious contenders on the world stage, and with such a dominating performance, other teams in the qualifiers have every reason to be intimidated. The dream of competing among the best in the world seems more attainable than ever for Japan as they gear up for the rest of the qualifiers.

As fans debated whether the match would go down in history as one of the biggest upsets or simply a display of Japan's strength, a thought lingered: What would need to happen for China to bounce back from such a heavy loss? The answer could be just as puzzling as the match itself! And speaking of bizarre facts, did you know Japan’s last record-setting victory in World Cup qualifiers was a 8-0 win against Mongolia back in 2000? It seems like the Samurai Blue might just enjoy making high scores a habit!