Japan secured a landmark 1-0 victory over England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday, marking their first-ever win against the Three Lions and boosting confidence ahead of the upcoming World Cup.
The result ended a long wait for Hajime Moriyasu’s side, who had previously recorded two defeats and a draw in their three earlier meetings with England since 1995. The Japanese camp celebrated a memorable night, with travelling fans filling Wembley with chants as players rejoiced on the pitch after the final whistle.
The decisive moment came from Kaoru Mitoma, who scored the only goal of the match. Despite England dominating possession throughout, they struggled to convert their chances and lacked a clinical edge in the final third.
Japan have now extended their strong run of form, remaining unbeaten since a 2-0 loss to the United States last September, with notable victories over teams including Brazil, Ghana, Bolivia and Scotland.
Coach Moriyasu said the win highlighted his team’s resilience, noting their ability to stay patient under pressure and execute their game plan effectively. He added that the result provides belief, though there is still room for improvement.
Japan, who have reached the World Cup round of 16 in three of the last four editions, will compete in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia and Sweden at the tournament co-hosted in North America from June 11 to July 19.
