Japan Defeats the United States 2-1 to Secure Their First SheBelieves Cup Title

The Japanese Women's National Football team, known as the Nadeshiko, won the SheBelieves Cup title for the first time, five years after joining the tournament. Photo by Nicholai Roska for Tangent Zine.

The United States Women's National Team experienced its first defeat under coach Emma Hayes when a more seasoned and strategic Japanese team triumphed 2-1 over the Americans, securing the SheBelieves Cup title on Wednesday night at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.

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Just 94 seconds after kickoff, the Japanese team gained the lead as Leicester City's Yuka Momiki evaded a shoulder challenge from defender Emily Sonnett. With her back to the goal, she turned and scored from a tight angle, surpassing goalkeeper Jane Campbell.

Emily Fox from the USWNT competes with Japan's Remina Chiba for a loose ball. Photo by Nicholai Roska for Tangent Zine.

Trailing by one goal, the USWNT required a victory to secure the title, as Japan had a better goal difference going into the match. The Americans managed to level the score in the 14th minute when Ally Sentnor of the NWSL's Utah Royals scored on a counterattack, with an assist from Catarina Macario, who plays for Chelsea in the Women's Super League.

The top-ranked Americans appeared to have the momentum, thanks to coach Hayes' in-game adjustments, but Japan endured the pressure following the goal, as Feyenoord's Tōko Koga scored the decisive goal in the second half shortly after entering the field in the 50th minute.

USWNT goalkeeper Jane Campbell blocks a shot in the second half of the SheBelieves Cup final. Photo by Nicholai Roska for Tangent Zine.

In her post-game remarks, coach Emma Hayes called the tournament winners “without question one of the best teams in the world, with players that are extremely well played-in together.”

Japan's Mina Tanaka receives her MVP award for the SheBelieves Cup. Photo by Nicholai Roska for Tangent Zine.

And in her first defeat after taking the position as manager of USWNT, she remained optimistic with the big picture ahead: “It's okay to be disappointed. It’s really important to remember moments like this and the learnings that we take from it… [You] learn the most important things when you play a top-class opponent. I’d rather do that now than much later."