Japan's Women's National Team made history by winning the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, defeating the heavily favored U.S. Women's National Team by 2-1 at Snapdragon Stadium on February 27, Japan time. This match marked not only the first SheBelieves Cup title for Japan but also ended the U.S. team's impressive five-tournament winning streak.
The action began with midfielder Yui Hasegawa orchestrated play just 1 minute and 25 seconds after kickoff. Hasegawa, known for her vision on the pitch, executed a brilliant pass through the U.S. defense to connect with Yuka Momiki, who scored the opening goal. “Hasegawa's pass was brilliant, cutting through the U.S. defense,” reported ABEMA, as the fans were left awe-inspired by the precision and creativity of the play.
Momiki's goal sparked excitement among the players and fans alike. It marked her first goal since returning to the national team after four and a half years. Japanese fans expressed their admiration through social media accolades, with many highlighting the remarkable synergy between Hasegawa and Momiki. “It was exciting to see the combination of Hasegawa and Momiki showing their long-standing chemistry,” admired fans commented online.
The second half of the match continued to showcase Japanese resilience and skill. Hasegawa, again proving her worth, played the decisive role by providing Koga with the opportunity to wrap up the game. Koga scored the winning goal through a direct free kick, solidifying Japan’s lead. The combination of Hasegawa's creativity and Koga's finishing created opportunities throughout the match and was pivotal to Japan's strategy against the formidable U.S. side.
This victory was particularly significant considering Japan's history with the U.S. Women's National Team. Previously, Japan faced the U.S. 41 times with only one win to their credit, alongside eight draws and 31 losses since 2009. Therefore, this victory not only provided substantial momentum for Japan but also marked a new era under the guidance of coach Nils Nielsen, potentially setting the groundwork for future successes.
Fans celebrated the match, taking to various platforms to express their excitement. “Long live Hasegawa!” and “What a monumental win!” were just some of the jubilant reactions among supporters who were not just celebrating the match but the future of women's soccer in Japan.
This thrilling win at the SheBelieves Cup exemplifies the rapid growth of women's soccer globally and signals Japan’s return to prominence on the international stage. With promising young talents like Hasegawa, Momiki, and Koga leading the charge, the future looks bright for the Nadeshiko Japan as they seek to build upon this success and inspire the next generation of female athletes.