Japanese football fans are caught performing heartwarming act long after their team’s massive World Cup victory over Spain

Japanese football fans have won the respect and admiration of many around the world with their stylish act of cleaning up stadiums – and they’ve done it again after their stunning victory over Spain.

Japan beat Spain 4-0 in the final round of World Cup group matches to ensure they top Group C with a perfect record.

Their place in the knockout round was already secured for Monday’s game at Wellington Regional Stadium, but Futoshi Ikeda’s side were ready to make a statement against the tournament favourites.

The Europeans dominated the ball but struggled to create chances and it was soon 2-0 thanks to Riko Ueki, who completed another fine Japanese counter-attack to double her side’s lead.

Spain’s lack of pace continued to become visible and it was 3-0 before the break. Miyazawa scored her second of the game as her team took an unassailable lead in what was a group-defining game.

It was Japan’s third shot of the match, but they proved to be clinical, with the 23-year-old taking the lead in the race for the Golden Boot while taking her tally of goals for the tournament to four.

The fourth goal came just before half time and Mina Tanaka scored what was one of the goals of the tournament.

After the final whistle, fans in the stadium once again proved themselves to be the most stylish supporters in the world by collecting rubbish in the stadium.

Photos from the stadium show fans in face paint and national team uniforms picking up rubbish and placing it in garbage bags after most of the other fans had cleared up.

Japanese supporters won hearts at the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year for cleaning up stadiums – sometimes when their side wasn’t even playing.

When asked by journalists why they spend time cleaning, one fan told reporters, “We are Japanese and we don’t leave any trash and we respect the place.”

Fans and players also left their dressing rooms absolutely spotless after games – often with origami swans and thank you notes in Japanese and Arabic for their hosts.

The country has built a reputation for similar goodwill at previous international tournaments and their admirable behavior is already winning praise once again.

The result against Spain will be a huge confidence booster for Japan, who now see their chance as the underdog to go far in the tournament.

For Spain, who were perhaps second favorite to lift the trophy behind the US, the result will come as a blow and Jorge Vilda’s side will need to regroup for the knockout stages.