The fight for the Meiji Yasuda J1 League title will go down to the final day, as Sanfrecce Hiroshima cut Vissel Kobe’s lead at the top to a single point in the penultimate matchweek. How did they do it and what else happened in the top flight? Let’s dive in:

Kashiwa Reysol 1, Vissel Kobe 1

Kosuke Kinoshita’s early strike gave Reysol a lead, but things got hectic late as the hosts were sent down to 10 men, Yuya Osako missed a penalty then Yoshinori Muto scored 10 minutes into stoppage time to snatch the point that has Vissel in first place.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima 5, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 1

The Viola scored after eight minutes and then ran away with a dominant win that put them right on Vissel’s heels, while Sapporo clinched relegation for the first time since 2012.

FC Machida Zelvia 1, Kyoto Sanga 0

Gakuji Ota put the ball in his own net for the only tally of the game as Zelvia climbed within three points of Vissel to give them a chance at the title next week if they win and the two clubs above them fall.

Albirex Niigata 0, Gamba Osaka 1

Kota Yamada’s outstanding header was all Gamba needed to win and hold onto fourth place.

Cerezo Osaka 0, Kashima Antlers 2

Shu Morooka and Yuma Suzuki fired Kashima to a two-goal lead inside of 15 minutes as the visitors cruised to victory.

Tokyo Verdy 4, Kawasaki Frontale 5

Hiroto Taniguchi’s hat trick brought Verdy back to tie the game, but Shin Yamada’s goal in stoppage time completed his own three-goal game and won Frontale a thriller.

Shonan Bellmare 2, Yokohama F·Marinos 3

The Tricolor closed with aplomb, getting an 89th-minute equalizer from Jun Amano before Yan Matheus won it in stoppage time.

Júbilo Iwata 2, FC Tokyo 1

FC Tokyo were reduced to 10 men in the 76th minute, spurring a comeback for Júbilo as Matheus Peixoto and Hiroki Yamada scored in the final 10 minutes to keep their dreams of avoiding relegation alive.

Avispa Fukuoka 1, Urawa Reds 0

Kazuya Konno’s terrific strike from 25 yards powered Avispa to full points in Fukuoka.

Nagoya Grampus 0, Sagan Tosu 3

Hikaru Nakahara’s brace led Sagan to their third win in their last three contests.