Japan delivered a sensational performance to defeat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly match at Tokyo’s National Stadium, overturning a 0-2 halftime deficit for their first-ever victory over the five-time world champions in 14 meetings. The Japanese team, led by coach Hajime Moriyasu, thrilled nearly 45,000 fans with goals from Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura, and Ayase Ueda, showcasing remarkable resilience and determination.
Brazil appeared dominant in the first half, with Luiz Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli giving Carlo Ancelotti’s side a two-goal lead following a strong opening performance, just days after their 5-0 win over South Korea. However, Japan shifted momentum after halftime, launching a relentless comeback that left the Brazilian squad stunned.
Minamino sparked the revival with a precise finish seven minutes into the second half. Nakamura’s equaliser deflected off a Brazilian defender, while Ueda sealed the win with a powerful header after hitting the crossbar earlier. The Japanese squad celebrated their historic victory while Moriyasu urged caution, emphasizing the importance of building on this confidence for future matches.
“Celebrating is important, but we must remain focused and continue improving against top teams,” Moriyasu said. “Beating Brazil in official tournaments requires consistent progress and discipline.”
Despite missing key players such as Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Wataru Endo of Liverpool, Japan’s performance demonstrated their growing strength on the international stage. Nakamura highlighted the impact of the result ahead of upcoming matches, stating, “Winning against Brazil boosts our confidence for the World Cup and upcoming fixtures in November and March.”
Brazil experimented with their lineup, leaving goalscorers Estevao, Rodrygo, and Matheus Cunha on the bench while Martinelli and Henrique led the attack alongside Vinicius Junior. Coach Ancelotti acknowledged Brazil’s second-half struggles, noting, “We need to learn from mistakes and react better when setbacks occur.”
Japan’s historic triumph adds to their impressive record, having previously beaten Germany and Spain in the 2022 World Cup group stages, and strengthens their ambition for the 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
