On Friday 24 August, the U-20 Japan Women's National Team won against the U-20 Spain Women's National Team 3-1 at the final of the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup France 2018, taking down the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup title for the first time in Japanese football history.

After losing to Spain 0-1 in their second group stage match, Japan sought for revenge in a match that attracted 5,409 spectators. The final kicked-off under a tense atmosphere as Spain skilfully connected the ball in their defence line to anticipate for holes created in the Japanese defence. Japan struggled to obtain the ball in the early minutes, but gradually created opportunities to attack the opposing goal. In the ninth minute, defender MIYAGAWA Asato made an overlapping run before launching a shot at goal. Forward UEKI Riko followed in the 13th minute when she received the ball from midfielder MIYAZAWA Hinata before striking a shot. Despite both attempts coming short from finding the back of the net, the match turned into an equally balanced bout as defender MINAMI Moeka showcased a superb save to deny Spain’s goal scoring opportunity. The deadlock was broken in the 38th minute, when midfielder ENDO Jun delivered a pass to Miyazawa, who struck a shot with her right foot. The ball carried over the head of the Spanish goalkeeper and shook the net, giving Japan the lead as well as Miyazawa her first goal of the tournament.

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