"It was the scene we were aiming for."
Mitoma Gaoru (29, BRIGHTEN) delivered a historic victory for Japan at Wembley, the 'home of English football.'
The Japan national football team beat England 1-0 on the 1st (Korean time) at Wembley Stadium in London, England. Mitoma was the scorer of the winning goal.
In the 23rd minute of the first half, Mitoma became the starting point of a direct counterattack. After winning the ball with strong pressure in midfield, he quickly connected with Kamada Daichi and Ueda Ayase. After regaining possession, Mitoma drove into the center and passed to Nakamura Keito, who had moved into space down the left flank.
Nakamura's low cross headed toward the goal. While Ueda drew defenders, Mitoma, surging in from behind, calmly slotted it in with his right foot. It was Japan's winning goal at Wembley.
According to a postgame report by Japan's Football Zone, Mitoma said, "That was exactly the situation we were aiming for as a team. It worked well because it was the shape we had prepared, so I'm glad."
Mitoma did more than just score that day. He moved between the front and the flanks to unsettle England's defense and actively contributed to defensive duties. Mitoma was at the center of why Japan could show such dominant performance against England at Wembley.
In 2025 he could not show the expected form for the national team due to the aftereffects of injury. He was completely different in this March A match. In the first national team schedule of 2026, the year the World Cup is held, Mitoma returned as a core of Japan.
Mitoma was not satisfied. He coolly reviewed his performance, saying, "I think I need to become the starting point of more attacks."
He attached significance to beating England, who are considered World Cup contenders. Mitoma said, "This victory will be a confidence boost," while adding, "We were confident we could win if we did things the way we have been doing them. But this is not the tournament proper."
He continued, "Keeping a clean sheet was more important. You have to do that to fight tenaciously like today. We must not forget that," he emphasized.
Mitoma was also at the center when Japan defeated Germany and Spain at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. And in 2026, Japan is once again looking to a bigger stage with Mitoma at the forefront.
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