Kashima Antlers secured a 4-3 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in the opening round of the J-League 1 regular season on 7 August 2026. The away side took control early, with S. Miidera and Leo Ceara finding the net inside the first 12 minutes before K. Tanimura pulled one back for the hosts on 18 minutes.
Yokohama levelled the score in the second half when Tanimura struck again in the 58th minute, but Kashima responded through Ceara in the 81st minute. The match then turned dramatic at the death, with A. Cavric converting two penalty kicks in stoppage time — one at 90+9 minutes after a VAR-awarded spot-kick, and the second at 90+12 minutes.
And here's the thing: Kashima dominated possession at 68 per cent and registered 107 attacks against 73 for the hosts, yet their shot accuracy sat at just 24 per cent. Yokohama were more clinical in their limited opportunities, hitting 36 per cent of their shots on target. The visitors created four big chances compared to the hosts' two, but only converted three of their five shots on target.
Kashima's approach was built around width, completing seven of 26 crosses and attempting 16 dribbles, while Yokohama relied more on long distribution with 65 long passes and 43 passes into the final third. The hosts made 41 clearances compared to 26 for the visitors, suggesting they spent more time under pressure in their own half.
There were several substitutions in the second half, with Kashima bringing on M. Yoshida at the restart and later introducing R. Ogawa. Yokohama made four changes, including Yan and K. Tanimura himself, who was replaced after scoring twice.
By then the result had shifted the table picture. Kashima move into third place with 12 points from four wins and two defeats, while Yokohama drop to seventh with 10 points after three wins, one draw, and two losses in six games.
The victory extends Kashima's recent good form — they have won three of their last five league matches, including a 5-0 thrashing of Vegalta Sendai — while Yokohama's consistency has wavered, with only one win in their past three league outings.