Japan secured a memorable 3-1 victory over Uruguay in the Kirin Challenge Cup, turning a tightly contested friendly into a late-night celebration at Q&A Stadium Miyagi on September 24, 2026. The Samurai Blue scored twice in second-half stoppage time to settle the match after Uruguay had fought back before half-time. [1][2][3]
Japan leave it late against Uruguay
Kuryu Matsuki gave Japan the perfect start when he opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Uruguay responded before the interval, with Maximiliano Araújo restoring parity in the 42nd minute and ensuring the teams went into half-time level. [2]
With the score still tied deep into the second half, the match appeared to be heading towards a draw. Japan, however, found the decisive breakthrough in the 90+2nd minute, when Hiroki Ito put the hosts back in front. Ayase Ueda then added a third goal four minutes later, completing a remarkable stoppage-time finish. [2]
The final whistle confirmed a 3-1 Japan win, a result also recorded in the official J.League match listings and reported by the Asian Football Confederation as a victory secured by two late goals. [3][4]
How the match unfolded
Japan’s early pressure was rewarded after just 11 minutes, with Matsuki’s goal giving the home side an important advantage. Uruguay’s response was equally significant: Araújo’s 42nd-minute equaliser changed the shape of the contest and left Japan needing another breakthrough after the restart. [2]
The second half remained unresolved until the closing moments. Ito’s goal in the second minute of added time restored Japan’s lead, while Ueda’s strike in the sixth added minute made sure there would be no late Uruguay response. The two goals transformed a level game into a convincing scoreline in the space of four minutes. [2][3]
For Japan, the result offers a notable winning moment in front of a home crowd against a prominent South American opponent. For Uruguay, the late collapse will be the defining feature of a match in which Araújo’s equaliser had appeared to put the visitors in position to take something from the encounter.
What Japan’s victory means
Friendly matches do not carry the same competitive stakes as qualifying or tournament fixtures, but a win over Uruguay provides Japan with a strong result during the September international window. The manner of the victory is especially striking: Japan responded to conceding before half-time and maintained enough attacking threat to decide the game at the very end.
The timing of the goals will also make this a particularly memorable result for supporters. Ito’s strike gave Japan the lead when the match was almost over, and Ueda’s finish delivered the final margin in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Rather than a narrow home win, Japan finished with a three-goal total and a two-goal cushion. [2]
At the same time, the scoreline should be read in the context of a friendly. The confirmed facts are the result, the scoring sequence and the late nature of Japan’s goals; broader conclusions about either team’s long-term level will require further fixtures.
Japan’s next fixture
The Samurai Blue are scheduled to remain in action during the same international window, with Venezuela next on the calendar. That match is set for September 28, 2026, at Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima. [5]
Japan will therefore have a quick opportunity to build on the Uruguay victory. After Matsuki’s early opener, Araújo’s equaliser and the dramatic late goals from Ito and Ueda, attention now turns to whether the team can produce another positive performance in Hiroshima.