Japan beats Ecuador to top Group C with perfect record

Updated: May 17, 2023, 01:16 am
Yuika Sugasawa and Japan cruised into the knockout stage with their third straight win.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

WINNIPEG, Manitoba -- Yuki Ogimi scored in the fifth minute and defending champion Japan beat Ecuador 1-0 on Tuesday to become the first team to win all three of its matches in the group stage of this year's Women's World Cup.

Japan won Group C and will play in the round of 16 on June 23 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Brazil, which plays Wednesday, is the only other team with a chance to go 3-0 in the group stage.

It was the 54th international goal for the 27-year-old Ogimi. Her shot from close range bounced in off the crossbar after the ball had been deflected toward an open net.

Ecuador, which was outscored 16-1 in losses to Cameroon and Switzerland, kept this one close until the end.