Nadeshiko Japan Wins Historic Third Straight Asian Games Gold, Beating North Korea on Penalties

Article

Nadeshiko Japan just made Asian Games history, on home soil, in a penalty shootout.

The Result

Japan beat North Korea 5-3 on penalties after the final finished 2-2, winning the women's football gold medal at the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

A First: Three in a Row

It's Nadeshiko Japan's first-ever three-consecutive-Games Asian Games title, and the team's fourth overall — following golds in 2010, 2018, and 2022 — making Japan the most successful nation in the competition's women's football history.

Home Soil, Extra Weight

With the 2026 Asian Games hosted in Aichi and Nagoya, this gold medal was won in front of a home crowd, adding to the significance of the three-peat.

Ask Marine

Want to know more about Nadeshiko Japan's Asian Games history, or how the final unfolded? Ask Marine.

What To Know

A three-peat achieved on home soil, decided by a dramatic penalty shootout, is exactly the kind of moment that defines a generation of a national team.

The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Japan (Aichi and Nagoya), so this gold medal came in front of a home crowd — adding extra weight to an already historic result.

Easy Japanese

なでしこジャパンが、アジア競技大会の女子サッカーでPK戦の末に北朝鮮に勝ち、3回連続で金メダルを取りました。