Nagoya Grampus secured an important away victory in the Japanese J1 League, defeating Kashiwa Reysol 3-1 on 17 October 2026. After conceding early at Sankyo Frontier Kashiwa Stadium, Grampus responded with three goals and a composed second-half performance that turned the contest firmly in their favour.

Kashiwa began brightly and gave the home crowd an early lift. Their pressing forced Nagoya into a few rushed passes, and the opening goal arrived when a quick move down the left ended with a low finish into the far corner. At that stage, the home side looked capable of controlling the match, but Nagoya gradually settled and began to find space in midfield.

Match overview

The equaliser changed the mood of the game. Nagoya increased their intensity without the ball, pressed Kashiwa’s midfielders into mistakes and began to attack the space behind the full-backs. Once Grampus drew level, the visitors looked the more dangerous team, and a goal on the stroke of half-time gave them a lead they protected with maturity after the interval.

Kashiwa pushed for a response in the second half, but Nagoya’s defensive block held firm and their counterattacking threat remained strong. The third goal arrived late in the second period, ending the home side’s hopes of a comeback and sealing a result that could prove significant in the J1 League’s competitive upper half.

Key moments

• 11th minute: Kashiwa Reysol opened the scoring with a flowing move down the left and a precise low finish.
• 34th minute: Nagoya equalised after a turnover in midfield, finishing from the edge of the box.
• 45+2nd minute: Grampus took the lead from a set piece, with a powerful header beating the goalkeeper.
• 58th minute: Kashiwa’s best chance of the second half was denied by a strong save from Nagoya’s goalkeeper.
• 74th minute: Nagoya sealed the win on the counterattack, finishing calmly after breaking through the home defence.

Tactical story

Nagoya’s comeback was built on adjustments in central midfield. After a passive opening spell, Grampus began to press higher and force Kashiwa’s build-up wide. That change cut off the home side’s central passing lanes and created turnovers in areas where Nagoya could attack quickly.

Kashiwa’s early goal had come from width and quick combinations, but they found it harder to reproduce those patterns once Nagoya tightened its defensive spacing. The visitors also managed the game well after taking the lead, slowing the tempo when necessary and using the counterattack to keep Kashiwa from committing too many players forward.

Standout performers

Nagoya’s central midfielder was central to the comeback, linking play and setting the pressing rhythm. The wide attacker caused persistent problems with direct running, while the centre-back pairing stood strong during Kashiwa’s second-half pressure. The goalkeeper’s save at 2-1 was a decisive moment in preserving Grampus’s advantage.

For Kashiwa Reysol, the opening goal was a reward for an energetic start, but the team could not maintain the same level of control. Their captain tried to drive the side forward, and the goalkeeper made several important stops, yet the home team was ultimately undone by Nagoya’s sharper transitions and set-piece threat.

What the result means

The 3-1 win gives Nagoya Grampus three valuable away points and strengthens their position in the J1 League table. Coming from behind against a direct rival makes the result especially satisfying and highlights the team’s ability to adapt within a match.

Kashiwa Reysol are left to reflect on a promising start that slipped away. The home side showed attacking intent but were punished for losing control in midfield and failing to take their best chance at 2-1. In a league where small margins shape the standings, Nagoya’s clinical response proved the difference.