Japan come from level at half-time to beat Uruguay 3-1 in Forlán's interim era
Japan scored twice after the break to beat Uruguay 3-1 in Rifu on 24 September, their first win over Uruguay since 2018, while Uruguay's last five results on record contain no win.
Japan beat Uruguay 3-1 in an international friendly at Miyagi Stadium in Rifu on 24 September, in front of 44,070 spectators. The teams were level 1-1 at half-time before Japan scored twice after the break. It was Japan's first win over Uruguay since 2018, and it extended a contrast between two sides that left this summer's World Cup in very different places.
How it unfolded
Japan went ahead in the 11th minute. Kuryu Matsuki hit a left-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom left corner, from an assist by Keito Nakamura. Uruguay levelled in the 42nd minute when Maxi Araújo scored with a left-footed shot from a difficult angle on the left, into the high centre of the goal, sending the teams in level.
Per ESPN, Japan lined up in a 3-4-2-1 and Uruguay in a 4-4-2, with Alex King refereeing.
At half-time Daichi Kamada replaced Kodai Sano, and Japan scored twice in the second half to win 3-1. Kamada arrived with a record to his name: per ESPN, he scored the fastest goal in Japan's World Cup history, in the fourth minute against Tunisia on 21 June.
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 11' | Goal, Japan: Kuryu Matsuki (assist Keito Nakamura), 1-0 |
| 42' | Goal, Uruguay: Maxi Araújo, 1-1 |
| 45' | Japan substitution: Daichi Kamada on for Kodai Sano |
| Second half | Japan score twice, 3-1 |
World Cup contrast
The two sides came into this friendly from very different summers. Per ESPN, Japan finished second in Group F at the 2026 World Cup and reached the knockout round, while Uruguay went out in the group stage without a win.
| Japan (Group F) | Result | Uruguay (group stage) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 2-2 | Saudi Arabia | 1-1 |
| Tunisia | 4-0 | Cape Verde | 2-2 |
| Sweden | 1-1 | Spain | 0-1 |
The numbers show the gap. Japan scored seven goals and conceded three in their three group games, unbeaten throughout. Uruguay scored three and conceded four, with two draws and a defeat. Araújo, today's Uruguay scorer, also scored in the 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia on 15 June, per ESPN.
Two managers, two situations
Hajime Moriyasu remains in charge of Japan. Per ESPN, he is the first coach to lead Japan at two consecutive World Cups. Uruguay are in a different position: Diego Forlán was appointed interim coach on 15 July, per ESPN, to oversee six friendlies after Marcelo Bielsa left following the World Cup.
Recent form points the same way. Japan's last five results on record are two wins, two draws and one loss. Uruguay's last five on record are four draws and a loss, with no win.
Today in numbers
| Key number | Figure |
|---|---|
| Final score | Japan 3-1 Uruguay |
| Half-time | 1-1 |
| Goals by half | Japan 1 then 2; Uruguay 1 then 0 |
| Attendance | 44,070 at Miyagi Stadium, Rifu |
| Formations | Japan 3-4-2-1, Uruguay 4-4-2 (per ESPN) |
| Uruguay since Forlán took over | Interim coach since 15 July, for six friendlies (per ESPN) |
The split by half tells the story of the day. Uruguay matched Japan for 45 minutes, scoring a goal of real quality from a tight angle, but did not score again, while Japan doubled their tally after the break. For a Japan side that was unbeaten in its World Cup group, it was another sign of a team that can pull away after the break. For Uruguay, it was a second half that got away from them.
What it means
For Japan, a second-half win over a South American side keeps the positive run from the World Cup going into the new cycle. For Uruguay, the result adds to a winless stretch on record, and it is one of the six friendlies that make up Forlán's interim spell. Those games are his window to show what his Uruguay can be.