Japan Beat Uruguay 3-1! Matsuki and Shiogai Score First International Goals [Summary: KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2026 Japan vs Uruguay]

Japan defeated Uruguay 3-1 in the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2026 on 24 September.
 
In their first match since the World Cup, Japan lined up in their familiar 3-4-2-1 formation under Hajime Moriyasu. Tomoki Hayakawa started in goal, with Ayumu Seko, Kou Itakura and Hiroki Ito forming the back three from right to left. Brothers Kaishu and Kodai Sano lined up in central midfield, with Kuryu Matsuki, making his international debut, at right wing-back and Keito Nakamura on the left. Ritsu Doan and Yuito Suzuki played behind lone striker Daizen Maeda.
 
Uruguay threatened early on, but Japan soon settled into the match and began to control possession. They opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Matsuki collected the ball on the right, drove forward and cut inside before firing home with his left foot to score on his international debut.
 
The match became more evenly contested as the first half wore on, with Uruguay beginning to push Japan back after the half-hour mark. They equalised in the 42nd minute after winning possession in Japan’s half, with Maximiliano Araujo finishing the move to make it 1-1.
 
Daichi Kamada came on at the start of the second half, before Japan made four more changes shortly after the hour mark, including the introduction of Ayase Ueda. Both sides created chances, but the match remained level until stoppage time.
 
Japan regained the lead in the 90+1st minute when substitute Kento Shiogai combined with Ueda before finishing for his first international goal. Ueda then added a third five minutes later to seal a 3-1 victory.

■Match Data
Japan vs Uruguay