Vissel Kobe are the champions!

For the first time in their history, Vissel have won the Meiji Yasuda J1 League title, capturing the top honor in Japanese football after a 2-1 win over Nagoya Grampus on Saturday.

Vissel have been stupendous all season, winning their first three matches to take over first place in the league and holding their spot at the summit for most of the season.

Kobe entered the penultimate matchweek ahead of second-place Yokohama F·Marinos by two points. When the Tricolor drew on Friday night, that opened the door for Vissel to win the league on Saturday against Nagoya Grampus, which is exactly what they did.

Vissel went in front after 11 minutes as Yuya Osako hit a gorgeous ball through for Haruya Ide, who finished perfectly with his first touch off the inside of the post.

Two minutes later, Osako created another goal as he beat his man on the left before crossing for Yoshinori Muto, who put the ball in the back of the net for a two-goal lead.

Osako’s creativity, alongside Ide and Muto’s clinical finishing, had put Vissel on track for history, but an excellent finish from Grampus striker Kasper Junker would keep things close all the way until the final whistle.

When it arrived, the crowd at NOEVIR Stadium Kobe was delirious. They sang at the top of their lungs for their beloved club as celebrations erupted in each corner of the ground and all over Kobe.

For the first time in the history of Vissel Kobe, they are the best team in all of Japan. They are the champions.