Japan defeats USWNT, wins SheBelieves Cup title: Highlights

Japan has won the SheBelieves Cup, denying the United States Women’s National Team a sixth consecutive win in the tournament.

Japan needed a tie or win on Wednesday to hoist its first SheBelieves Cup trophy, while the USWNT needed to win outright in order to clinch the title for the eighth time in a decade. Japan got the win, 2-1.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 SheBelieves Cup final:

Final: Japan 2, USWNT 1

Japan only needed to tie to win the SheBelieves Cup, but it left no doubt by defeating the U.S. Women’s National Team 2-1 in the final. Toko Koga’s goal in the 50th minute stood up as the winner.

The two sides were evenly-matched: The USWNT had five shots on goal on nine attempts; Japan had four on 10 and held a very narrow edge in possession (50.3% to 49.7%).

The loss was the first for the USWNT under head coach Emma Hayes.

Halftime: USWNT 1, Japan 1

There were two goals scored in the first 15 minutes but none in the next 30. The teams hit the locker rooms tied 1-1.

Japan has two shots on goal and six attempts; the United States has three and four, respectively. Japan has the possession edge (55.4% to 44.6%).

Ally Sentnor scores equalizer; US tied with Japan

The U.S. women settled into the championship match after yielding an early goal to Japan and were able to answer back quickly. Ally Sentnor scored the equalizer for the USWNT at the 14-minute mark. Catarina Macario split defenders with a pass up the middle to Sentnor, who scored with a brilliant strike. It marked Sentnor’s second international goal of her career.

Japan scores in opening minutes, leads USWNT 1-0

It didn’t take long for Japan to get on the board. Yuka Momiki gave Japan a 1-0 lead in the SheBelieves Cup final Wednesday night by finding the back of the net in the opening two minutes of the match. American Emily Sonnett collided with goalkeeper Jane Campbell as they both tried to defend and they both went to the ground, offering up an empty net for Momiki.

USWNT vs. Japan SheBelieves Cup: TV channel, time, how to watch

Date: Wednesday, Feb. 26
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: TBS
Stream: Sling TV
Location: Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, Calif.)

Watch USWNT vs. Japan on Sling TV

USWNT’s SheBelieves Cup Roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)
DEFENDERS (8): Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal FC, ENG), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain, FRA), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Heaps (Olympique Lyon, FRA), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Curren), Jaedyn Shaw (North Carolina Courage), Lily Yohannes (Ajax, NED)
FORWARDS (7): Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign FC), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville FC), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC)

Japan’s SheBelieves Cup Roster

GOALKEEPERS (3): Ayaka Yamashita (Manchester City, ENG), Chika Hirao (Albirex Niigata Ladies), Akane Okuma (INAC Kobe Leonessa)
DEFENDERS (6): Saori Takarada (Leicester City, ENG), Moeka Minami (AS Roma, ITA), Saki Kumagai (London City Lionesses, ENG), Hana Takahashi (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies), Toko Koga (Feyenoord, NED), Hikaru Kitagawa (BK Häcken, SWE), Rion Ishikawa (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Hinata Miyazawa (Manchester United, ENG), Kiko Seike (Brighton & Hove Albion, ENG), Fuka Nagano (Liverpool, ENG), Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City, ENG), Aoba Fujino (Manchester City, ENG), Momoko Tanikawa (Bayern Munich, GER), Maika Hamano (Chelsea, ENG), Honoka Hayashi (Everton, ENG), Narumi Miura (Washington Spirit), Yuka Momiki (Leicester City, ENG)
FORWARDS (3): Riko Ueki (West Ham United, ENG), Mina Tanaka (Utah Royals), 19-Remina Chiba (Eintracht Frankfurt, GER)

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