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Junya Ito struck an 84th‑minute winner as Japan defeated Scotland 1-0 in a friendly at Hampden Park, capping a strong display from Hajime Moriyasu’s side. Both teams hit the woodwork and created clear chances, but Japan’s sharper attacking play and control across long spells brought a deserved away victory.

Scotland made a bright start through Scott McTominay and Andy Robertson, yet could not turn pressure into goals. Japan, preparing for a Group F opener against the Netherlands on 14 June, responded with sustained intensity, repeatedly stretching Steve Clarke’s defence before Ito finally broke Scotland’s resistance in the closing stages.

Scotland’s first major opening came when John McGinn picked out McTominay six yards from goal. Zion Suzuki reacted sharply and diverted the Napoli midfielder’s low strike onto the post. The rebound was hacked clear, giving Japan an early warning about McTominay’s late runs from midfield.

After that scare, Japan settled and produced a slick passing move in the 37th minute. Kodai Sano laid the ball back intelligently for Ao Tanaka, whose guided effort clipped the top of Angus Gunn’s crossbar. Japan’s combinations between midfield and attack began to trouble Scotland’s back line more regularly.

Japan continued to move the ball fluently, with more neat build-up releasing Sano for another chance that flew over the bar. Just before half-time, Yuito Suzuki broke through on goal, but Gunn stood tall and pushed the shot away, preserving Scotland’s clean sheet at the interval.

Early in the second half, Robertson tested Zion Suzuki with a driven attempt that was beaten away. However, Japan maintained greater tempo despite multiple substitutions. In the 67th minute, Ito was denied by a sprawling save from Gunn, who flung out an arm to tip the winger’s strike to safety.

The deciding goal arrived when substitute Kento Shiogai slipped a precise pass into Ito’s path. Ito shifted the ball onto a better angle and fired a reverse finish towards the far corner. Gunn got a touch, but could not keep it out, and Scotland failed to create a clear response.

Data focus on Junya Ito and Japan vs Scotland

Ito’s strike was the 15th goal of the winger’s international career, coming on appearance number 67. That finish ended a sequence of 12 matches without scoring for Japan, a run that stretched back to the forward’s previous national-team goal against China in September 2024.

Since the start of 2023, no Japan player has contributed to more goals in all competitions than Ito, who has six goals and 16 assists during that spell. Those numbers underline Ito’s influence for Moriyasu’s team, complementing the strong collective display that produced 18 attempts and higher expected goals than Scotland.

Global friendlies around Japan vs Scotland match

Elsewhere, fellow World Cup co-hosts Canada fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Iceland. Juventus forward Jonathan David converted two penalties to level the game, showing composure from the spot and maintaining Canada’s momentum as preparations continue for matches later in the international window.

At the Stade de France, Senegal displayed the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before kick-off against Peru, in protest at CAF’s decision to strip the team of that title. Senegal then beat Peru 2-0, with Nicolas Jackson and Ismaila Sarr both scoring, adding weight to the symbolic pre-match gesture.

Scotland now move on to face Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Tuesday as World Cup plans continue. Japan will meet England next, taking confidence from a controlled victory in Glasgow and from Ito’s timely end to a scoring drought ahead of the Netherlands game on 14 June.

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