On Wednesday 26 February, Nadeshiko Japan (Japan Women's National Team) played their third match of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California, where they defeated the USA Women's National Team 2-1 to claim their first ever SheBelieves Cup title.

Japan, ranked eighth in the FIFA world rankings, made eight changes to their starting line-up from the second match and opted for a 4-3-3 formation against the USA, ranked first. YAMASHITA Ayaka (Manchester City) started in goal behind a backline of KITAGAWA Hikaru (BK Hacken), KUMAGAI Saki (London City Lionesses), TAKARADA Saori (Leicester City) and MORIYA Miyabi (Angel City FC). NAGANO Fuka (Liverpool FC) anchored the midfield, with MOMIKI Yuka (Leicester City) and HASEGAWA Yui (Manchester City) in the middle and FUJINO Aoba (Manchester City), TANAKA Mina (Utah Royals) and HAMANO Maika (Chelsea) up front.

In a match where a draw would have been enough to secure top spot, Japan once again struck first. In the second minute, Momiki latched onto Hasegawa's through ball in front of goal, turned and fired home with her left foot. But the USA, who won gold at the Paris Olympics, responded with a 14th-minute goal from Ally SENTNOR to level the scores. Both teams continued to create chances, including a 26th-minute shot from Kitagawa that went just wide, but the first half ended 1-1.

Coach Nils NIELSEN brought on MIYAZAWA Hinata (Manchester United) and KOGA Toko (Feyenoord) for the second half, and the changes paid immediate dividends. In the 50th minute, Fujino, looking for a breakthrough, won a free-kick deep in the opposition half. Hasegawa stepped up to take the free-kick and her shot flew into the left-hand corner of the goal, forcing the goalkeeper to parry the ball and Koga was on hand to pounce on the rebound and calmly slot home Japan's second to make it 2-1.

From then on, Japan's defence remained focused against the USA, who made effective use of their substitutes to keep up the pressure. In the 62nd minute, Kumagai was injured in an aerial battle with an opponent, but she remained on the pitch to tighten up the backline. In the dying minutes, Tierna DAVIDSON unleashed a well-struck shot from just outside the area, but goalkeeper Yamashita made a fine save to keep out the danger.

After surviving through additional time, Japan managed to hold onto their lead to win over the USA 2-1, winning all three matches to claim their first ever SheBelieves Cup title. Prior to this match, Japan’s record against the USA was 1 win, 8 draws and 31 losses (wins and losses in penalty shootouts treated as draws), and this was their first win against the USA in 13 years, since 5 March 2012, and the first time they had beaten the USA away from home.

At the awards ceremony, Tanaka, who scored four goals in the tournament, was named the tournament MVP, and when Kumagai raised the trophy, there were fireworks as the players and staff celebrated their first title under the new regime.

(※Comments from the Japanese players on this match against the USA can be found on JFA's various social networking sites.)

Nadeshiko Japan scored a historic victory in the first tournament in the build-up to the FIFA Women's World Cup Brazil 2027™ and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Their next match is an international friendly against Colombia at Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Osaka on Sunday 6 April at 14:00.

2025 SheBelieves Cup

Tournament dates: Mon. 17 February - Fri. 28 February
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium, State Farm Stadium, Snapdragon Stadium (USA)
Tournament information

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