February 28, 2025 - The 10th annual SheBelieves Cup tournament has come to an end, with Nadeshiko Japan winning their first trophy in their 5th year participating.

Matchday 1 - Houston, TX

February 20, 2025

Shell Energy Stadium, Houston, TX

Japan 4, Australia 0

Scoring Summary:

6' JAPAN - Mina Tanaka (Assist: Fuka Nagano) Fuka Nagano's mishit volley finds Mina Tanaka inside the box, who flicks it towards goal to give Nadeshiko the early lead. JPN 1, AUS 0.

32' JAPAN - Mina Tanaka (Assist: Hikaru Kitagawa)

Hikaru Kitagawa's early cross causes chaos - miscommunication between Australian centerbacks Alanna Kennedy and Clare Hunt results with the ball finding Mina Tanaka in the center of the penalty box, who records her brace. JPN 2, AUS 0.

52' JAPAN - Maika Hamano (Assist: Mina Tanaka)

The most aesthetically pleasing team goal of the tournament, as Japan combine to create a chance for Chelsea's Maika Hamano, who puts Japan up 3. JPN 3, AUS 0.

75' JAPAN - Moeka Minami (Assist: Hikaru Kitagawa)

Hikaru Kitagawa with a cross into the box, and Moeka Minami rises above the Matildas and heads home the goal for Japan's fourth of the evening. JPN 4, USA 0.

Stats (JPN / AUS):

Shots: 18 / 1

Shots on Goal: 8 / 0

Saves: 0 / 4

Corner Kicks: 7 / 2

Fouls: 18 / 7

Offside: 1 / 1

Lineups:

JAPAN (4-3-3): 1-Ayaka Yamashita; 5-Hana Takahashi (21-Miyabi Moriya, 85), 6-Toko Koga, 3-Moeka Minami, 13-Hikaru Kitagawa; 10-Fuka Nagano (7-Hinata Miyazawa, 60), 4-Saki Kumagai, 14-Yui Hasegawa (Capt.); 17-Maika Hamano (8-Manaka Matsukubo, 71), 11-Mina Tanaka (22-Yuka Momiki, 85), 15-Aoba Fujino (9-Riko Ueki, 60).

Substitutions Not Used: 2-Saori Takarada, 12-Chika Hirao, 16-Momoko Tanikawa, 18-Honoka Hayashi, 19-Remina Chiba, 20-Narumi Miura, 23-Akane Okuma

Head coach: Nils Nielsen

AUSTRALIA (4-2-3-1): 1-Mackenzie Arnold; 21-Ellie Carpenter, 14-Alanna Kennedy (3-Winonah Heatley, 64), 4-Clare Hunt, 7-Steph Catley (Capt.) (22-Charlotte Grant, 64); 19-Katrina Gorry (10-Emily van Egmond, 74), 23-Kyra Cooney-Cross (5-Natasha Prior, 85); 16-Hayley Raso, 11-Mary Fowler (15-Daniela Galic, 64), 13-Tameka Yallop; 9-Caitlin Foord (17-Holly McNamara, 64).

Substitutions Not Used: 2-Michelle Heyman, 6-Alana Murphy, 8-Kaitlyn Torpey, 12-Teagan Micah, 18-Chloe Lincoln 20-Laini Freier

Head coach: Tom Sermanni

USA 2, Colombia 0

Scoring Summary:

33' USA - Catarina Macario (Assist: Yazmeen Ryan)

Lily Yohannes plays Yazmeen Ryan through down the right channel, who plays a perfect low, driven cross to Catarina Macario. Macario gets goalside of Carolina Arias and scores. USA 1, COL 0.

60' USA - Ally Sentnor (Assist: Tara McKeown)

Tara McKeown finds Ally Sentnor with a driven ground pass, who takes a few touches to get herself a chance towards goal. Sentnor shoots from range and scores. USA 2, COL 0.

Stats (USA / COL):

Shots: 10 / 7

Shots on Goal: 3 / 0

Saves: 0 / 1

Corner Kicks: 2 / 4

Fouls: 12 / 14

Offside: 2 / 2

Lineups:

USA (4-2-3-1): 1-Jane Campbell; 23-Emily Fox, 14-Emily Sonnett (Capt.), 4-Tara McKeown, 5-Jenna Nighswonger (15-Gisele Thompson, 76); 17-Sam Coffey (3-Korbin Albert, 77), 11-Lily Yohannes; 22-Yazmeen Ryan (21-Michelle Cooper 64), 10-Lindsey Heaps, 9-Ally Sentnor (8-Jaedyn Shaw, 76); 20-Catarina Macario (6-Lynn Biyendolo, 64).

Substitutions Not Used: 2-Emily Sams, 7-Alyssa Thompson, 12-Tierna Davidson, 13-Emma Sears, 16-Claire Hutton, 18-Mandy McGlynn, 19-Crystal Dunn

Head coach: Emma Hayes

COLOMBIA (4-3-3): 12-Katherine Tapia; 17-Carolina Arias, 3-Daniela Arias, 16-Jorelyn Carabalí (14-Ángela Barón, 43), 5-Yirleidis Quejada Minota (4-Ana Guzman, 68); 10-Leicy Santos (23-Ivonne Chacón, 81), 8-Marcela Restrepo (21-Maria Camila Reyes, 67), 11-Catalina Usme (20-Sara Martínez, 82); 7-Manuela Paví (19-Karla Torres, 67), 9-Mayra Ramírez, 18-Linda Caicedo.

Substitutions Not Used: 1-Luisa Agudelo, 2-Mary Álvarez, 6-Daniela Montoya, 13-Natalia Giraldo, 15-Wendy Bonilla, 22-Daniela Caracas

Head coach: Ángelo Marsiglia

Matchday 2

February 23, 2025

State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ

Colombia 1, Japan 4

Scoring Summary:

1' JAPAN - Momoko Tanikawa (Assist: Mina Tanaka)

Momoko Tanikawa dribbles from about midfield to about 30 yards out from goal and rips a shot, picking out the top right corner of goal to score in just 18 seconds... a record for the fastest goal scored in SheBelieves Cup history. JPN 1, COL 0.

8' JAPAN - Mina Tanaka (Assist: Momoko Tanikawa)

Momoko Tanikawa's corner kick service finds the head of Mina Tanaka, who doubles Japan's early lead. JPN 2, COL 0.

45'+4 COLOMBIA - Linda Caicedo (Assist: Leicy Santos)

Just before the halftime interval, Leicy Santos plays Linda Caicedo through, who gets goalside of Toko Koga and scores for Las Cafeteras. JPN 2, COL 1.

57' JAPAN - Maika Hamano (Assist: Mina Tanaka)

Mina Tanaka plays Maika Hamano down the right channel, who dribbles into the box and scores, giving Japan their two goal cushion once again. JPN 3, COL 1.

80' JAPAN - Mina Tanaka (PK)

Mina Tanaka was taken down by Colombian goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo in the box. Tanaka stepped up to the spot, scoring the penalty with a low driven shot to the bottom left corner of goal. JPN 4, COL 1.

Stats (COL / JPN):

Shots: 5 / 13

Shots on Goal: 2 / 7

Saves: 3 / 1

Corner Kicks: 3 / 4

Fouls: 16 / 8

Offside: 1 / 0

Lineups:

COLOMBIA (4-2-3-1): 1-Luisa Agudelo; 4-Ana Guzman, 2-Mary Álvarez, 14-Ángela Barón (15-Wendy Bonilla, 73), 5-Yirleidis Quejada Minota (22-Daniela Caracas, 46); 21-Maria Camila Reyes (20-Sara Martínez, 46), 6-Daniela Montoya (Capt.) (8-Marcela Restrepo, 46, 11-Catalina Usme, 66); 7-Manuela Paví (9-Mayra Ramírez, 46), 10-Leicy Santos, 18-Linda Caicedo; 19-Karla Torres.

Substitutions Not Used:3-Daniela Arias, 12-Katherine Tapia, 13-Natalia Giraldo, 16-Jorelyn Carabalí, 17-Carolina Arias, 23-Ivonne Chacón

Head coach: Ángelo Marsiglia

JAPAN (4-3-3): 12-Chika Hirao; 5-Hana Takahashi (2-Saori Takarada, 88), 6-Toko Koga, 3-Moeka Minami, 13-Hikaru Kitagawa; 16-Momoko Tanikawa (18-Honoka Hayashi, 69), 7-Hinata Miyazawa, 20-Narumi Miura (10-Fuka Nagano, 46); 15-Aoba Fujino (8-Manaka Matsukubo, 88), 11-Mina Tanaka (19-Remina Chiba, 83), 9-Riko Ueki (17-Maika Hamano, 46)

Substitutions Not Used: 1-Ayaka Yamashita, 4-Saki Kumagai, 14-Yui Hasegawa, 21-Miyabi Moriya, 22-Yuka Momiki, 23-Akane Okuma

Head coach: Nils Nielsen

USA 2, Australia 1

Scoring Summary:

1' USA - Lynn Biyendolo (Assist: Jaedyn Shaw)

Racing Louisville's Emma Sears holds up play inside the box, slipping Jaedyn Shaw down the left side... Shaw's low, driven cross finds Biyendolo who scores in the opening minute for the USWNT. USA 1, AUS 0.

68' USA - Michelle Cooper (Assist: Ally Sentnor)

Claire Hutton plays a through ball to Ally Sentnor down the right side of goal. Sentnor turns towards goal, and Michelle Cooper is there to rip a shot on the ball, scoring in the bottom left corner of goal. USA 2, AUS 1.

80' AUSTRALIA - Michelle Heyman (Assist: Hayley Raso)

Hayley Raso with an inch perfect cross, and Michelle Heyman makes a brilliant run to beat the USWNT backline and score the Matildas' first goal at the SheBelieves Cup via header. USA 2, AUS 1.

Stats (USA / AUS):

Shots: 14 / 7

Shots on Goal: 6 / 1

Saves: 0 / 4

Corner Kicks: 7 / 7

Fouls: 7 / 9

Offside: 1 / 0

Lineups:

USA (4-2-3-1): 18-Mandy McGlynn; 15-Gisele Thompson (23-Emily Fox, 77), 2-Emily Sams, 12-Tierna Davidson (Capt.), 19-Crystal Dunn (9-Ally Sentnor, 62); 3-Korbin Albert, 16-Claire Hutton (17-Sam Coffey, 70); 7-Alyssa Thompson (21-Michelle Cooper, 62), 8-Jaedyn Shaw, 13-Emma Sears (22-Yazmeen Ryan, 62); 6-Lynn Biyendolo (4-Tara McKeown, 62).

Substitutions Not Used:1-Jane Campbell, 5-Jenna Nighswonger, 10-Lindsey Heaps, 11-Lily Yohannes, 14-Emily Sonnett, 20-Catarina Macario

Head coach: Emma Hayes

AUSTRALIA (4-2-3-1): 12-Teagan Micah; 21-Ellie Carpenter, 14-Alanna Kennedy (5-Natasha Prior, 81), 7-Steph Catley (Capt.) (10-Emily van Egmond, 74), 22-Charlotte Grant; 3-Winonah Heatley, 23-Kyra Cooney-Cross (20-Laini Freier 81); 16-Hayley Raso, 11-Mary Fowler (6-Alana Murphy, 64), 9-Caitlin Foord (8-Kaitlyn Torpey, 74); 17-Holly McNamara (2-Michelle Heyman, 64).

Substitutions Not Used: 1-Mackenzie Arnold, 4-Clare Hunt, 13-Tameka Yallop, 15-Daniela Galic, 18-Chloe Lincoln, 19-Katrina Gorry

Head coach: Tom Sermanni

Matchday 3

February 26, 2025

Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA

Australia 1, Colombia 2

Scoring Summary:

15' COLOMBIA - Wendy Bonilla (Assist: Mayra Ramírez)

Linda Caicedo wins the ball in the attacking third, plays it in centrally to Mayra Ramírez. Ramírez lays it off to Wendy Bonilla who scores, putting Las Cafeteras ahead early. AUS 0, COL 1.

69' AUSTRALIA - Hayley Raso (Assist: Charlotte Grant)

Charlotte Grant's cross finds Hayley Raso near the penalty spot inside the box, who dribbles her way to an open look at goal - her shot takes a sharp deflection and finds the back of the net, equalizing the match for the Matildas. AUS 1, COL 1.

73' COLOMBIA - Catalina Usme

A headed clearance from the box finds the foot of Catalina Usme, who creates space and rips a shot from about 25-30 yards from goal. The ball takes a sharp deflection, floating up and chipping Teagan Micah and landing in the goal. AUS 1, COL 2.

Stats (AUS/COL):

Shots: 9 / 12

Shots on Goal: 1 / 4

Saves: 2 / 0

Corner Kicks: 4 / 3

Fouls: 10 / 10

Offside: 1 / 1

Lineups:

AUSTRALIA (4-4-2): 12-Teagan Micah; 21-Ellie Carpenter (8-Kaitlyn Torpey, 45), 4-Clare Hunt, 7-Steph Catley (Capt.) (5-Natasha Prior, 46), 22-Charlotte Grant; 16-Hayley Raso, 19-Katrina Gorry, 10-Emily Van Egmond, 13-Tameka Yallop (11-Mary Fowler, 66); 23-Kyra Cooney-Cross (6-Alana Murphy, 82), 2-Michelle Heyman (9-Caitlin Foord, 46).

Substitutions Not Used:1-Mackenzie Arnold, 18-Chloe Lincoln, 3-Winonah Heatley, 14-Alanna Kennedy, 15-Daniela Galic, 17-Holly McNamara, 20-Laini Freier

Head coach: Tom Sermanni

COLOMBIA (4-2-3-1): 13-Natalia Giraldo; 4-Ana Guzmán, 22-Daniela Caracas, 2-Mary José Álvarez, 5-Yirleidis Minota; 11-Catalina Usme (Capt.), 20-Sara Sofia Restrepo (21-Camila Reyes, 80); 15-Wendy Bonilla (7-Manuela Pavi, 64), 10-Leicy Santos (6-Daniela Montoya, 90+2), 18-Linda Caicedo; 9-Mayra Ramírez (23-Ivonne Chacon 90+2).

Substitutions Not Used: 1-Luisa Agudelo, 12-Katherine Tapia, 3-Daniela Arias, 8-Marcela Restrepo, 14-Angela Barón, 16-Jorelyn Carabali, 17-Carolina Arias, 19-Karla Torres

Head coach: Ángelo Marsiglia

USA 1, Japan 2

Scoring Summary:

2' JAPAN - Yuka Momiki (Assist: Yui Hasegawa)

USWNT's Jane Campbell and Emily Sonnett collide after Yui Hasegawa's through ball finds the Leicester forward, who slots it into an open goal to give Nadeshiko an early lead. USA 0, JPN 1.

14' USA - Ally Sentnor (Assist: Catarina Macario)

Catarina Macario plays a through ball in to Ally Sentnor, who makes a run off the back shoulder of Saori Takarada. Sentnor takes a great first touch to settle the ball, before calmy finishing the ball past a diving Yamashita to equalize for the USWNT. USA 1, JPN 1.

50' Japan - Toko Koga

Yui Hasegawa rips a beautiful free kick, saved acrobatically by Jane Campbell. Campbell can't parry the ball away from danger, as Nadeshiko's Toko Koga is the first to react and gives Nadeshiko the lead again early in the second half. USA 1, JPN 2.

Stats (USA / JPN):

Shots: 9 / 10

Shots on Goal: 5 / 4

Saves: 2 / 4

Corner Kicks: 2 / 1

Fouls: 4 / 8

Offside: 3 / 1

Lineups:

USA (4-2-3-1): 1-Jane Campbell; 23-Emily Fox, 14-Emily Sonnett, 4-Tara McKeown (12-Tierna Davidson, 68), 19-Crystal Dunn (5-Jenna Nighswonger, 46); 17-Sam Coffey, 11-Lily Yohannes (3-Korbin Albert, 58); 22-Yazmeen Ryan (7-Alyssa Thompson, 58), 10-Lindsey Heaps (Capt.), 9-Ally Sentnor (8-Jaedyn Shaw, 46); 20-Catarina Macario (6-Lynn Biyendolo, 58).

Substitutions Not Used: 2-Emily Sams, 13-Emma Sears, 15-Gisele Thompson, 16-Claire Hutton, 18-Mandy McGlynn, 21-Michelle Cooper

Head coach: Emma Hayes

JAPAN (4-2-3-1): 1-Ayaka Yamashita;  21-Miyabi Moriya (18-Honoka Hayashi, 84), 2-Saori Takarada, 4-Saki Kumagai (Capt.), 13-Hikaru Kitagawa (6-Toko Koga, 46); 14-Yui Hasegawa, 10-Fuka Nagano (7-Hinata Miyazawa, 46); 17-Maika Hamano (5-Hana Takahashi), 22-Yuka Momiki (8-Manaka Matsukubo, 58), 75), 15-Aoba Fujino (19-Remina Chiba, 57); 11-Mina Tanaka.

Substitutions Not Used: 3-Moeka Minami, 9-Riko Ueki, 12-Chika Hirao, 16-Momoko Tanikawa, 20-Narumi Miura, 23-Akane Okuma

Head coach: Nils Nielsen

Winners: Nadeshiko Japan

Head Coach: Nils Nielsen

Record: 3-0-0, 9 points

4-0 W vs Australia, 4-1 W vs Colombia, 2-1 W vs USA.

SheBelieves Cup MVP: Mina Tanaka

It's really hard to believe this Nadeshiko team played their very first matches under Nils Nielsen at the SheBelieves Cup. Japan were incredibly organized, more lethal in attack than we've seen from the Nadeshiko Japan side in years... and dominated the competition at the SheBelieves Cup.

Nadeshiko Japan scored 10 goals across the three matches. They scored 7 in the last four editions they participated in. COMBINED. Mina Tanaka scored 4 goals and assisted 3, in route to winning the Visa SheBelieves Cup MVP.

Japan have always been a technically sound side. Now, instead of playing in a possession heavy back 5 system like they did under Futoshi Ikeda, Japan are dynamic in their build up play and their chance creations. Early crosses, effective runs in behind... all played through their effective chance creators - primarily through fullback Hikaru Kitagawa and midfielder Yui Hasegawa. Combine that with Mina Tanaka's great qualities on the ball as a forward, Nadeshiko Japan averaged nearly 14 shots a match at the SheBelieves Cup.

Nadeshiko Japan played the USWNT twice in 2024, losing both times against Emma Hayes. In both matches, then manager Futoshi Ikeda's side failed to create any consistency in attacking chances, their only goal across the two matches coming in the opening minute of the SheBelieves Cup in Atlanta, GA.

Under Nielsen, Nadeshiko looked electric. They started off early with their opening goal, and continued to outplay the FIFA Rank No. 1 in the USWNT over the course of the match. Japan controlled possession, were the more aggressive team, and were able to dictate the tempo of the match for the majority of the 90 minutes against the USWNT on Wednesday. Nadeshiko remained organized out of possession, limiting the United States' attacking options, while controlling the tempo of the match effectively with the ball.

Japan, per SofaScore, ended the match with 50% possession against the USWNT, a stark contrast to the under 30% possession Japan had of the ball at the Olympics in August 2024. Japan, for the first time in a long time against the USA, were the better team.

Nadeshiko beat the USWNT for the first time since 2012 - that generation that beat the USWNT in two consecutive matches between the Algarve Cup in March 2012, and the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany on penalties. It had been 14 unbeaten in a row for the USWNT against Japan since.

Nielsen admitted that this tournament was primarily focused on attacking output, with there not being enough time to focus on defensive tactics. The Danish manager, the first foreign Nadeshiko manager in history, joined the JFA and the Nadeshiko coaching staff in December 2024. Despite not having time to fully implement his tactics, Nadeshiko Japan looked energetic, cohesive, and most importantly, were incredibly effective in all aspects of the ball in route to their first ever SheBelieves Cup title.