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. .....

🎥𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦🎥

🏆2025 SheBelieves Cup
⚔️第3節
🇯🇵なでしこジャパン 2-1 アメリカ女子代表🇺🇸

📅2025年2月27日
🏟Snapdragon Stadium(アメリカ)

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— JFAなでしこサッカー (@jfa_nadeshiko) February 27, 2025

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