Japan secured their first-ever victory over Brazil after a thrilling second-half comeback saw them stun Carlo Ancelotti’s side 3-2 in a friendly at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday.
Brazil had started strongly, with Luiz Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli putting the visitors 2-0 up by half-time. This followed their 5-0 rout of South Korea in Seoul just four days earlier.
However, Japan hit back after the interval, with Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda turning the game on its head in front of a near-capacity crowd of 45,000. Minamino opened the scoring in the 52nd minute by capitalising on a loose ball from Fabricio Bruno, firing past Hugo Souza. Nakamura levelled shortly afterwards, redirecting the ball at the back post with a fortunate deflection off Bruno. Ueda then completed the turnaround with a powerful header a minute later after striking the crossbar.
The win marked Japan’s first triumph over Brazil in 14 meetings and only Brazil’s second defeat since Ancelotti took charge in May, following a 1-0 loss to Bolivia in World Cup qualifying. Both nations have already secured qualification for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ancelotti made several changes to his line-up from the South Korea match, resting goalscorers Estevao and Rodrygo, along with Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha. Martinelli and Henrique were brought in to partner Vinicius Junior upfront. Japan, meanwhile, were without key injured players, including Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo.
Brazil’s early dominance was almost punished when Ueda narrowly missed a dangerous cross in the first real chance of the game. Henrique made Brazil pay for Japan’s missed opportunity with a composed finish after a slick passing move, before Martinelli doubled the lead minutes later, following a clever chipped pass from Lucas Paqueta.
Despite Brazil’s efforts to regain control, Japan defended resolutely and could have further extended their advantage, completing a memorable comeback on home soil.
