Mana Furuta of Japan looks to pass the ball during the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C match
©Photo by Molly Darlington – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Image
At the York Community Stadium, Japan produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Spain 29–21 in their final Pool C match of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The Sakura Fifteen overturned a 14–5 halftime deficit with four tries in the second half, securing their first pool-stage win at a World Cup in 31 years.
The match began with Japan asserting early control through smart phase play and sharp running lines. Their efforts paid off in the sixth minute when fullback Sora Nishimura crossed the line, giving Japan a 5–0 lead.
However, the missed conversion left the door open, and Spain capitalised quickly. In the 12th minute, forward Cristina Blanco barged over for a try, and Inés Argudo added the extras to put Spain ahead 7–5.
Spain extended their lead just before the break. From a well-controlled maul, second-row Monica Castelo powered over the line in the 38th minute. Argudo again converted, giving Spain a 14–5 advantage going into halftime.
Despite trailing, Japan had shown dominance in territory and possession throughout the first half, but poor conversion of chances kept them behind.
Japan began the second half with renewed intensity and soon found reward. In the 45th minute, flanker and captain Iroha Nagata scored under the posts after bulldozing through three defenders. Ayasa Otsuka made no mistake with the conversion, cutting the deficit to 14–12. The momentum had clearly shifted.
Twelve minutes later, prop Wako Kitano crossed over after sustained pressure near the Spanish line, giving Japan the lead for the first time since the opening try. Though the conversion was missed, Japan led 17–14. Just five minutes later, the lead was extended. In the 62nd minute, winger Komachi Imakugi finished off a sweeping move for Japan’s fourth try, making it 22–14.
The match then saw a decisive moment in the 65th minute. Spain’s scrum-half Anne Fernández de Corres was yellow-carded for head contact on Japan’s Haruka Hirotsu, reducing Spain to 14 players at a crucial stage.
Japan took full advantage of the numerical superiority. After a relentless 20-phase attack, No.8 Jennifer Nduka drove over in the 69th minute, and Minori Yamamoto slotted the conversion to make it 29–14.
Spain fought back in the dying minutes. Claudia Peña made a clean break and set up Rocío Rosell Martínez for a well-finished try in the 77th minute. Peña added the conversion, reducing the margin to 29–21. But it was too late for a full comeback, as Japan held firm in the closing moments to secure a memorable victory.
AloJapan.com