Saki Kumagai: The Penalty That Won the World, and a Lyon Dynasty
Saki Kumagai: The Penalty That Won the World, and a Lyon Dynasty
At 20, she scored the penalty that made Japan world champions. Then she went to France and won the Champions League again and again. Saki Kumagai is one of the most decorated footballers Japan has ever produced.
Saki Kumagai is a defender who has lived football’s biggest moments. Aged just 20, she scored the decisive penalty in the shootout that won Japan the 2011 Women’s World Cup against the USA. She then built one of the great club careers at Olympique Lyonnais in France, winning multiple league titles and a remarkable haul of UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies — even scoring the winning penalty in a Champions League final. A long-time Nadeshiko leader, she also reached the 2015 World Cup final.
In this guide
1. Who Saki Kumagai is
2. The penalty that won the world
3. A Lyon dynasty
4. Why she matters
1. Who Saki Kumagai is
A serial winner at the very top of the women’s game.
Saki Kumagai is a composed, intelligent centre-back who became one of the most successful Japanese footballers of all time — and a long-serving leader for the national team.1 Her career has been defined by an extraordinary habit of being decisive in the biggest games. ⚠ Her current club can change — check the latest.
2. The penalty that won the world
The 2011 Women’s World Cup final against the United States finished 2–2 and went to penalties. At just 20 years old, Kumagai stepped up to take Japan’s decisive kick — and buried it, making Japan world champions for the first time.1 It was an astonishing moment of nerve from a young defender on the sport’s biggest stage.
3. A Lyon dynasty
Kumagai then moved to Europe and joined Olympique Lyonnais, the dominant force in women’s club football. There she won multiple French league titles and a string of UEFA Women’s Champions League crowns — and, fittingly, scored the winning penalty in the 2016 Champions League final, earning the final’s MVP award.2 Few players anywhere have a club trophy cabinet to match. She also helped Japan reach the 2015 World Cup final. ⚠ Club moves change — confirm her current team.
4. Why she matters
- She delivered the decisive moment. The penalty that won Japan a World Cup.
- She’s a serial European champion. A central figure in Lyon’s era of dominance.
- She’s a leader. A long-serving captain and role model for Nadeshiko Japan.
In five lines
- Saki Kumagai is one of Japan’s most decorated footballers.
- At 20 she scored the penalty that won the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
- At Olympique Lyonnais she won multiple league titles and Champions Leagues.
- She scored the winning penalty in the 2016 Champions League final.
- She reached the 2015 World Cup final and became a long-time Japan captain. ⚠
The players who made history
Explore the legends of Japanese football, men’s and women’s.
Sources & notes
- Saki Kumagai — scored the decisive penalty in the 2011 Women’s World Cup final shootout (aged 20); long-time Japan defender/captain; 2015 World Cup final. THE ANSWER; Wikipedia (JA)
- Olympique Lyonnais: multiple league titles and UEFA Women’s Champions League crowns; winning penalty + MVP in the 2016 Champions League final. Soccer Digest
A player profile dated 14 June 2026. Current club and role change — flagged ⚠ items should be confirmed against official sources.
📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月14日 | 初回公開 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月14日
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