Nagoya Grampus edged out Shimizu S-Pulse with a 1-0 victory at the Toyota Stadium on February 8, 2026, in a tight J1 League encounter. A single goal proved enough for the hosts to claim all three points and continue their strong start to the season. The only goal of the game came in the first half, a moment of individual brilliance from Nagoya's attacking midfielder, who curled a shot into the far corner from the edge of the box. Shimizu S-Pulse responded well and enjoyed periods of possession, but they found it difficult to break down a well-drilled Nagoya defense led by their experienced captain. The visitors' best chance came from a free-kick that rattled the crossbar, a let-off for the home side. Grampus managed the game intelligently in the latter stages, slowing the tempo and seeing out the win to move up the league table. The narrow defeat was a harsh lesson for Shimizu, who competed well but lacked a clinical edge in the final third. The Nagoya manager highlighted the importance of clean sheets, while the Shimizu coach lamented his team's wastefulness in front of goal.