In a thrilling J1 League opener, Yokohama F. Marinos were stunned 3-2 at home by Machida Zelvia on February 6, 2026, in a match that delivered a major early-season upset. The visitors showcased their attacking intent from the outset, taking a surprising lead and holding off a late fightback from the perennial title contenders. Machida Zelvia shocked the Nissan Stadium by scoring twice in the first half, putting the hosts on the back foot. Yokohama F. Marinos rallied after the break, pulling a goal back to set up a tense finale, but Zelvia restored their two-goal cushion with a clinical counter-attack. A late Marinos penalty made it 3-2, but it was too little too late as the newly-promoted side held on for a historic victory. The standout performance came from Zelvia's forward line, which exploited space behind the Marinos defense with pace and precision. This result immediately shook up the early J1 League table, signaling Machida Zelvia as a potential surprise package and handing Marinos an unexpected setback in their championship pursuit. Post-match, the Marinos manager expressed frustration at his team's slow start, while the Zelvia coach hailed his players' belief and execution on the big stage.