Monterrey Stadium witnessed a historic evening in world football on 21 June 2026, as Tunisia faced Japan in what became the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history. To commemorate the occasion, FIFA presented an emotional tribute video on the giant screens of the 'Steel Giant' before kickoff, celebrating nearly a century of World Cup memories.

Adding to the spectacle, former Spain captain and 2010 World Cup champion Sergio Ramos made a surprise appearance wearing the jersey of Rayados, the club that owns the Monterrey venue. The crowd also reacted strongly to the presence of Lionel Messi, who was met with boos from sections of the audience.

The night’s celebrations were capped off by a dominant display from Japan, who cruised to a 4-0 victory over Tunisia, further strengthening their position in the group standings. The result underscored Japan’s growing stature on the world stage, marking a memorable milestone in the tournament’s illustrious history.