The match-up started out with Takagi and Goto exchanging stiff shots in the middle of the ring, with the former getting the best of the situation due to a shoulder tackle. Takagi would remain in firm control of the bout thanks to his hard-hitting kicks and strikes. After a brief period outside the ring, Goto gained the advantage by connecting with several forearms and then a neck breaker that resulted in a nearfall.
Goto would keep control of the bout by targeting the neck with strikes and a submission; however, it didn’t take Takagi too long to fight back and takedown Goto. The two New Japan stars would then have a back-and-forth contest with each man hitting devastating shots and maneuvers that almost resulted in a win on numerous occassions.
Takagi would put down Goto with a vicious clothesline shortly after taking an inverted GTR. The Los Ingobernables de Japon member would eventually connect with Last Of The Dragon to score the three count. Shingo Takagi’s final G1 Climax tournament score is 4-5 (8 points) and Hirooki Goto’s finalized record in the 2019 competition is 5-5 (10 points).