J1 League Regular Season - 7

Vissel Kobe 2 - 2 PEN 3-5 Gamba Osaka

Noevir Stadium

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
78
FT
Wed, Mar 18
日本語
Vissel Kobe
2-2 (PEN 3-5)
Gamba Osaka
⚡ Intensity 73
⚖️ Balance 84
🏆 Stakes 0
🎲 Upset 52
Penalty heartbreak follows 90th-minute derby drama.

Late Drama and Penalty Heartbreak in Kansai Derby

Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 78/100. A ferocious top-of-the-table clash exploded at Noevir Stadium, defined by immense character and a brutal shootout finale.

Lightning Starts and Early Blows

The soaring Stakes were obvious from the very first exchanges between these fierce regional rivals. Vissel Kobe struck first, electrifying the home crowd when R. Komatsu finished off a clever ball from M. Thuler in the sixth minute. Unfazed by the early setback, Gamba Osaka calmly controlled possession and quickly found their rhythm. Their patience paid off at the 23-minute mark when D. Hummet found the back of the net to level the scoring. The Balance of power shifted constantly across the pitch, setting the stage for a classic encounter.

The Pivot: Gamba's Surge

As the second half unfolded, the sheer Intensity of the rivalry was reflected in the shooting statistics, with a combined 29 attempts turning the pitch into a shooting gallery. Gamba Osaka's backline, marshalled magnificently by Genta Miura, absorbed relentless waves of Kobe pressure. Having weathered the storm, the visitors launched a devastating counter-punch. With just seven minutes of normal time remaining, D. Hummet turned provider, slipping a pass into the path of R. Yamashita, who dispatched what looked to be the decisive winner.

Resolution: Shootout Agony

Refusing to surrender their lead at the league summit, the hosts dug deep. The manager's late changes delivered a massive Upset Factor to the script. In the 90th minute, substitute K. Hamasaki carved open the tired defence to set up fellow substitute Jean Patric for an explosive equaliser. With no further breakthrough, the derby demanded a penalty shootout to separate the sides. Gamba Osaka demonstrated ice-cold composure from the spot, converting all their attempts to win 5-3, securing a monumental psychological victory in the title race.

Key Questions

Did Vissel Kobe deserve the late equaliser?

Yes. Despite Gamba controlling possession, Kobe's relentless late pressure and brilliant substitute introductions forced a thoroughly merited 90th-minute breakthrough.

How did substitute Kento Hamasaki change the game?

Coming on at half-time, Hamasaki injected vital creativity, capping his impressive performance with the crucial assist for the dramatic late equaliser.

Did the derby intensity affect the quality of play?

Not at all. Both teams combined for 29 shots and displayed clinical finishing, proving the fierce rivalry only elevated the technical standard on the pitch.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
45%
55%
Vissel Kobe 45%
Gamba Osaka 55%
Shots
15
14
Vissel Kobe 15
Gamba Osaka 14
Shots on Target
3
8
Vissel Kobe 3
Gamba Osaka 8
Expected Goals (xG)
0.69
1.10
Vissel Kobe 0.69
Gamba Osaka 1.10
Passes
326
432
Vissel Kobe 326
Gamba Osaka 432
Pass Accuracy
65%
78%
Vissel Kobe 65%
Gamba Osaka 78%
Corners
6
3
Vissel Kobe 6
Gamba Osaka 3
Fouls
9
19
Vissel Kobe 9
Gamba Osaka 19
Yellow Cards
1
1
Vissel Kobe 1
Gamba Osaka 1
Red Cards
0
0
Vissel Kobe 0
Gamba Osaka 0

Match Events

6' R. Komatsu (M. Thuler)
D. Hummet 23'
HT
46' 🟨 Yosuke Ideguchi
46' 🔄 Diego K. Hamasaki
Welton R. Meshino 🔄 59'
73' 🔄 Y. Goke T. Inui
73' 🔄 D. Sasaki K. Uchino
T. Suzuki R. Mito 🔄 73'
I. Jebali K. Okunuki 🔄 73'
Ryo Hatsuse 🟨 80'
R. Yamashita (D. Hummet) 83'
86' 🔄 Y. Ideguchi Jean Patric
D. Hummet H. Minamino 🔄 89'
90' 🔄 R. Hirose K. Yamada
R. Yamashita G. Ikegaya 🔄 90'
90' Jean Patric (K. Hamasaki)
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Vissel Kobe

Goalkeepers
D. Maekawa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
R. Hirose
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
10
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
T. Yamakawa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Thuler
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
K. Nagato
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
23%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Y. Goke
GHOST
GHOST
12
Actions
12
Actions
73
Minutes
6.5
Rating
T. Ogihara
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Ideguchi
NPC
NPC
86
Minutes
86
Minutes
19%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
Forwards
D. Sasaki
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
R. Komatsu
FINISHER
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
4
Shots
7.2
Rating
Diego
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
BENCH
S. Gonda
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
B. Nduka
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Caetano
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Yamada
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Inui
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Hidaka
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Hamasaki
SUPER SUB
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
45
Minutes
8.2
Rating
Jean Patric
CLUTCH HERO
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.9
Rating
K. Uchino
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Gamba Osaka

Goalkeepers
M. Higashiguchi
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
R. Handa
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Miura
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
62%
Duel Win %
S. Nakatani
PROVOCATEUR
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
R. Hatsuse
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
33%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
T. Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
S. Abe
MAGNET
MAGNET
79
Activity
79
Activity
70
Passes
9
Duels
R. Yamashita
CLOSER
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
I. Jebali
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Welton
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Forwards
D. Hummet
FINISHER
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
6
Shots
7
Rating
BENCH
R. Araki
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
G. Ikegaya
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
9
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Kurata
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Mito
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Nawata
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Okunuki
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Yamamoto
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Meshino
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
H. Minamino
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
03/18/2026 Vissel Kobe 2 - 2 (PEN 3-5) Gamba Osaka J1 League Noevir Stadium
11/09/2025 Gamba Osaka 1 - 1 Vissel Kobe J1 League Panasonic Stadium Suita
05/17/2025 Vissel Kobe 3 - 2 Gamba Osaka J1 League Noevir Stadium
11/23/2024 Gamba Osaka 0 - 1 Vissel Kobe Emperor Cup Japan National Stadium
08/17/2024 Vissel Kobe 2 - 2 Gamba Osaka J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
06/22/2024 Gamba Osaka 2 - 1 Vissel Kobe J1 League Panasonic Stadium Suita
12/03/2023 Gamba Osaka 0 - 1 Vissel Kobe J1 League Panasonic Stadium Suita
03/04/2023 Vissel Kobe 4 - 0 Gamba Osaka J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
09/18/2022 Vissel Kobe 2 - 1 Gamba Osaka J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
05/08/2022 Gamba Osaka 2 - 0 Vissel Kobe J1 League Panasonic Stadium Suita
03/18/2026
2 - 2 (PEN 3-5)
J1 League Noevir Stadium
11/09/2025
J1 League Panasonic Stadium Suita
05/17/2025
J1 League Noevir Stadium
11/23/2024
Emperor Cup Japan National Stadium
08/17/2024
J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
06/22/2024
J1 League Panasonic Stadium Suita
12/03/2023
J1 League Panasonic Stadium Suita
03/04/2023
J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
09/18/2022
J1 League NOEVIR Stadium Kobe
05/08/2022
J1 League Panasonic Stadium Suita
Vissel Kobe Win
Gamba Osaka Win
Draw