LLWS 2026 Game 33 Recap: Japan 4, Latin America 1
Japan beat Nicaragua 4-1 to reach the international championship game for the first time since 2019. Back-to-back RBI doubles from Rui Tobata and Tensei Yazawa broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning. Shinnosuke Ijima closed out the win by striking out the side in the sixth.
Japan now advances to face Curaçao, a team that has outscored its three opponents 18-3 so far, including a 6-0 win over Japan on August 21. Nicaragua’s deep tournament run, which included wins over Panama and Mexico, comes to a close after the loss.
Back-to-Back Doubles Break the Tie
Both pitching staffs were sharp early, keeping the game scoreless through three innings. Nicaragua broke through first in the top of the fourth on an RBI single from José Martínez. Shinnosuke Ijima, who was also on the mound for Japan, answered right back with an RBI single of his own to tie the game at 1-1.
Japan took the lead for good in the fifth inning, as Rui Tobata and Tensei Yazawa delivered back-to-back RBI doubles to make it 4-1. Ijima closed the door in the sixth, striking out all three Nicaraguan batters he faced to end the game.
A return to the international final: The win marks Japan’s first appearance in the international championship game since 2019. Joto Little League has now won four straight games since an opening loss to Curaçao, riding contributions from across its pitching staff and lineup.
A Rematch With Curaçao Awaits
Japan will face Curaçao in the international championship game, setting up a rematch of their tournament opener, which Curaçao won 6-0 on August 21. Curaçao enters the game having outscored its three opponents 18-3, the most dominant run in the international bracket this year.
Nicaragua’s tournament ends: Nicaragua’s Latin America region champions put together a strong run through the tournament, including wins over Panama and Mexico, before falling in the international semifinal. The team’s season comes to a close after a tightly contested game that stayed within one run until the fifth inning.
How the Game Unfolded, Inning by Inning
Game 33 Box Score
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 4 | TBD | TBD |
| Latin America, Nicaragua | 1 | TBD | TBD |
| Key Hit | Player | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBI Single | José Martínez | Latin America | Broke the scoreless tie in the top of the 4th |
| RBI Single | Shinnosuke Ijima | Japan | Tied the game in the bottom of the 4th |
| RBI Double | Rui Tobata | Japan | First of back-to-back doubles in the 5th |
| RBI Double | Tensei Yazawa | Japan | Second of back-to-back doubles, made it 4-1 |
| Team | Bracket / Status | Next Game |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | International Championship | Faces Curaçao, a rematch of the tournament opener |
| Latin America, Nicaragua | Eliminated | Tournament run ends with the loss |
Japan’s path forward: Joto Little League reaches the international championship game for the first time since 2019, extending a four-game winning streak since its opening loss to Curaçao. Japan now gets a chance to avenge that 6-0 defeat with a spot in the LLWS title game on the line.
Conclusion
Japan beat Nicaragua 4-1 in Game 33 of the 2026 LLWS to reach the international championship for the first time since 2019. Back-to-back RBI doubles from Rui Tobata and Tensei Yazawa broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning, and Shinnosuke Ijima closed it out by striking out the side. Nicaragua’s tournament run ends after the loss.
Japan now faces Curaçao, the team that beat it 6-0 in the tournament’s opening round, with a spot in Sunday’s LLWS championship game on the line. Curaçao enters the rematch having outscored its opponents 18-3 across three games. Japan’s turnaround since that opening loss continues to build toward a potential title run.
