Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s last-gasp goal secured a famous win for Japan against Brazil, as head coach Carlo Ancelotti and captain Raphinha were both sent off protesting their last-gasp defeat in Singapore.
Coventry City’s Sakamoto, brought on as substitute, lifted a composed finish over the goalkeeper Pedro Morisco in the 90th minute after Brazil had fought from two goals down following a stunning Vinicius Jr double.
Brazil complained there had been a foul from Takumi Minamino in the build-up, and their protests to the Singapore referee led to dismissals for Ancelotti and Raphinha, who had that point had been taken off.
Brazil were furious at Japan’s opener, too, when goals from Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura gave Japan a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes, with the Selecao’s high line looking suspect and their defence all at sea.
But Brazil’s response before half-time was impressive and Vinicius unleashed a rocket of a shot to beat goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, as Japan faced constant pressure before half-time.
Japan looked to have been denied a famous win when Vinicius curled a stunning strike beyond the dive of Suzuki, who could only push the effort onto the post and watch as it deflected in off the other post to cross the line.
But Sakamoto’s dramatic winner meant Japan earned revenge in what was a rematch of the summer’s World Cup last-32 clash, where Brazil broke their hearts with Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal in Houston.
Japan v Brazil
- Japan claim famous win over Brazil to earn revenge for World Cup defeat
- 90' GOAL! Tatsuhiro Sakamoto stuns Brazil with last-gasp winner [JPN 3-2 BRA]
- 75' GOAL! Vinicius Jr equalises with whipped shot off the post [JPN 2-2 BRA]
- 35' GOAL! Vinicius Jr gives Brazil hope with rocket into top corner [JPN 2-1 BRA]
- 19' GOAL! Nakamura left alone to thump Japan into two-goal lead [JPN 2-0 BRA]
- 15' GOAL! Kubo dribbles from halfway before finding finish [JPN 1-0 BRA]
- Carlo Ancelotti and Raphinha sent off for protesting Japan's winner
Japan's second win against Brazil
12:22 , Jamie BraidwoodMixed emotions at full-time! Delight for Japan, who have beaten Brazil for just the second time in their history, earning some revenge for the summer’s World Cup defeat. Anger, though, for Brazil, who never like to lose and believe there was a foul in the build-up to Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s late winner.
FULL TIME! Japan 3-2 Brazil
12:14 , Jamie BraidwoodThat’s it! A famous win for Japan after Brazil had fought back from two goals down!
Brazil surround the referee at the full-time whistle!
GOAL! Japan 3-2 Brazil (SAKAMOTO 90')
12:08 , Jamie BraidwoodUNBELIEVABLE BRAZIL ARE STUNNED AT THE DEATH!
Brazil are furious! Bruno Guimaraes leads the appeals and Carlo Ancelotti complains as well. Ancelotti is sent off for his protest, and so is Raphinha! This is crazy!
Brazil were angered by a challenge from Minamino in midfield the build-up. But they failed to react and Japan piled forward. The ball broke to substitute Sakamoto in the box and he lifted a gorgeous finish over the goalkeeper.
Japan 2-2 Brazil
12:06 , Jamie Braidwood88 mins: Aston Villa’s Joao Gomes gets a sight of goal after driving forward but drags his shot wide.
Japan 2-2 Brazil
12:05 , Jamie Braidwood86 mins: More changes from Japan - defender Ayumu Seko is the only outfield player who remains from the starting XI. Vinicius and Endrick are booked after complaining to the referee for a foul on Vinicius.
Japan 2-2 Brazil
11:57 , Jamie Braidwood84 mins: SAVE! A ferocious strike from Endrick from distance! But Suzuki manages to tip it over!
GOAL! Japan 2-2 Brazil (VINICIUS 75')
11:52 , Jamie BraidwoodANOTHER STUNNER FROM THE MAIN MAN!
Brilliant from Vinicius! From the short corner, he whips a stunning shot towards the far corner! Suzuki gets a touch onto it, but only enough to direct it onto the post. It richoches across the line, off the other post, and crosses!
Brazil have fought from two goals down! Can they get a winner now?
Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:51 , Jamie Braidwood72 mins: Alisson Santana has been bright since coming on. He shapes to cut inside onto his left foot and get into the box but Hiroki Ito reads the danger well and wins his challenge.
Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:48 , Jamie Braidwood69 mins: Ancelotti sends on Endrick and withdraws Raphinha.
Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:47 , Jamie Braidwood68 mins: Dangerous from Vinicius! He whips in a dangerous cross from the left with the outside of his right foot but there’s no one in the middle to meet it. Alisson then shows quick feet to burst down the right, but Japan recover well to only concede the corner. From Raphinha’s cross, Gabriel’s flicked header fails to find the target.
Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:42 , Jamie Braidwood64 mins: Ancelotti has kept both Vinicius and Raphinha, despite his reported injury concern pre-match, on the pitch as Brazil look to salvage something from this. They have lacked threat and intent since the restart, however.
Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:35 , Jamie Braidwood56 mins: A triple change for Brazil: Estevao, Andre and Jair Cunha are off, Alisson Santana, Marlon Gomes and Jonathan Jesus are on.
Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:30 , Jamie Braidwood52 mins: More pressure from Brazil. Raphinha is involved again as the ball is fed wide to Wesley, whose low cross is blocked.
Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:26 , Jamie Braidwood48 mins: SAVE! Lovely Brazil move! Andre feeds a clever pass through to Raphinha, who swivels to shoot with his left foot. Suzuki parries away.
KICK-OFF! Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:22 , Jamie BraidwoodCarlo Ancelotti had some angry words for the referee at the half-time whistle but his Brazil team were all over the place at times as Japan took a two-goal lead. They were much better after Vinicius Jr pulled one back.
What Brazil will we see in the second half? Back underway with no changes made.
HALF TIME! Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:05 , Jamie BraidwoodWell, for a friendly, that’s been an exciting half of football in Singapore. Japan made a brilliant start and stunned Brazil by scoring twice in 20 minutes. Brazil’s defence disappeared in a disastrous five-minute spell and Japan took full advantage with goals from Kubo and Nakamura, with Maeda going close as well. But Brazil responded well. Vinicius Jr unleashed a rocket of a shot into the top corner and it was all Brazil until the half-time whistle.
It’s set up well for the second half, that’s for sure.
Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:02 , Jamie Braidwood44 mins: SAVE! Brazil are almost level! Andre steps in to win the ball in midfield and then keeps on driving. He reaches the edge of the box before unleashing a shot that forces Suzuki into the diving stop!
Japan 2-1 Brazil
11:00 , Jamie Braidwood43 mins: Raphinha leads appeals for a penalty after breaking into the box and going down under the challenge of the Japan defender! But the referee waves Brazil’s appeals away!
Japan 2-1 Brazil
10:58 , Jamie Braidwood42 mins: Vinicius Jr threatens from the left but Japan are doubling up on the winger and he has to settle for the corner. Japan clear.
Japan 2-1 Brazil
10:53 , Jamie Braidwood36 mins: ‘Not this again’, Japan must be thinking. Can Brazil complete another comeback against Japan? That Vinicius rocket has set up the rest of the game wonderfully.
GOAL! Japan 2-1 Brazil (VINICIUS 32')
10:50 , Jamie BraidwoodWOOOOW WHAT A HIT!
Estevao should have scored moments before but was denied by Suzuki. Instead, Vinicius goes himself and arrow and unstoppable shot across goal and into the top corner.
Brazil are back in it!
Japan 2-0 Brazil
10:48 , Jamie Braidwood30 mins: Japan have been relentless in their press and have swarmed Brazil in midfield. They look up for it in a way Carlo Ancelotti’s side simply do not.
Japan 2-0 Brazil
10:44 , Jamie Braidwood26 mins: Raphinha’s cross looks for Vinicius at the back post but it evades the Real Madrid forward. The referee delays the restart, perhaps to check a pull on Vinicius, but it’s then given the all clear.
Japan 2-0 Brazil
10:41 , Jamie Braidwood22 mins: Brazil are stunned. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were carved open three times in five minutes and now require a two-goal comeback to save themselves from defeat.
GOAL! Japan 2-0 Brazil (NAKAMURA 19')
10:36 , Jamie BraidwoodNOW IT IS TWO! What a moment for Japan, but what has happened to Brazil! The defence goes missing again. This time, Kubo has space down the right. He crosses low and finds Nakamura with the switch of play. The winger takes the ball down, gives Wesley the eyes as the full-backs fails to close him down, then steers the shot inside the post to beat Morisco!
Japan 1-0 Brazil
10:35 , Jamie Braidwood18 mins: IT SHOULD BE TWO! Brazil are all at sea at the back and it takes just one long ball to release Daizen Maeda. The goalkeeper Morisco comes off his line to make the first save, but the rebound falls to Maeda... he looks to lift it over Morisco but it falls wide of the post!
GOAL! Japan 1-0 Brazil (KUBO 15')
10:32 , Jamie BraidwoodWHAT A GOAL FROM KUBO!
Brazil aren’t happy about this, but Japan lead in Singapore! The ball was played through to Kubo, who timed his run to stay behind the halfway line. Where did the Brazil defence go? But the Real Sociedad forward does brilliantly, carrying forward before checking in the box and then slamming a low shot back across goal and inside the near post.
Brazil were wanting an offside, I think.
Japan 0-0 Brazil
10:31 , Jamie Braidwood14 mins: Better from Brazil as Guimaraes finds Wesley in space, but the right-back’s cross is straight into the arms of Suzuki.
Japan 0-0 Brazil
10:29 , Jamie Braidwood12 mins: Japan appear to be growing in confidence. Patient build-up leads to Kamada almost finding a ball through to Ito, whose cross is then blocked. Japan’s high press keeps Brazil from playing out.
Japan 0-0 Brazil
10:26 , Jamie Braidwood10 mins: Lovely play from Kubo to skip down the outside of Carlos Augusto and dink the cross into the box. Wesley manages to clear for Brazil.
Japan 0-0 Brazil
10:24 , Jamie Braidwood7 mins: Close! Guimaraes finds Estevao out wide and the attacker only has one thing on his mind: cutting onto his left foot and looking for the far corner. Suzuki dives desperately to his right, but is relieved to see Estevao’s shot curl past the post.
Japan 0-0 Brazil
10:20 , Jamie Braidwood2 mins: An early opportunity for Japan to launch a long-throw into the box is headed away and cleared. Vinicius Jr then attempts to lead the breakaway but Japan get back to cover.
KICK-OFF! Japan 0-0 Brazil
10:17 , Jamie BraidwoodSingapore's National Stadium is an impressive venue but there are plenty of empty seats visible in the 55,000-capacity arena as we kick-off. A good morning to any Brazil fans who have woken up early to catch the Selecao in action.
Japan v Brazil: Rematch of World Cup last-32 clash
10:14 , Jamie BraidwoodThis is the moment Japan are out to overturn: Gabriel Martinelli’s last-gasp winner to complete a 2-1 comeback win for Brazil in Houston.
The anthems are underway and we are almost ready for kick-off in Singapore.
Martinelli’s clutch moment 🇧🇷🇯🇵#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/zUuMraBVVE
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 13, 2026
Japan v Brazil: Counting down to kick-off
10:04 , Jamie Braidwood
Brazil team news: Gabriel, Guimaraes, Raphinha and Vinicius all start
09:52 , Jamie BraidwoodRaphinha is fit enough to start for Brazil in Singapore, while Arsenal duo Gabriel Magalhaes and Bruno Guimaraes are involved from the off as well. Nottingham Forest centre-back Jair Cunha starts, as does Manchester United midfielder Andrey Santos and Chelsea winger Estevao.
Brazil XI: Morisco; Wesley, Jair, Gabriel, Augusto; Andrey Santos, Guimaraes, Andre; Estevao, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr
Subs: Bento, Lucas Perri, Arthur Dias, Douglas Santos, Jonathan, Vanderson, Vitor Reis, Gabriel Bontempo, Joao Gomes, Marlon Gomes, Alisson Santana, Allan, Endrick, Rayan
🇧🇷 A SELEÇÃO ESTÁ ESCALADA! 🔥
— brasil (@CBF_Futebol) November 14, 2026
Esses são os 11 escolhidos para enfrentar o Japão! 👊⚽
A bola rola às 7h15 (de Brasília). É hora de entrar em campo e representar o nosso país!
VAMOS PRA CIMA, BRASIL! 💚💛#BateNoPeito pic.twitter.com/Bh8VpCdOUy
Japan team news: Suzuki, Kamada, Tanaka all start
09:42 , Jamie BraidwoodJapan’s team news graphic features four Premier League players, Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada, Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka and Ipswich forward Daizen Maeda. There are some suggestions that Japan will be playing 4-2-3-1 and are switching away from 3-4-3, but let’s see.
Japan XI: Suzuki; Seko, Nakano, Machida; Doan, Ito, Kamada, Nakamura; Tanaka, Maeda, Kubo
Subs: Kokubo (GK), Hayakawa(GK), Sugawara, Itakura, Hatano, Soma, Minamino, Goto, Ito, Suzuki, Ogawa, Shuto, Sano, Suzuki, Sakamoto
🔹𝗦𝗔𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗜 𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘🔹
— サッカー日本代表 🇯🇵 (@jfa_samuraiblue) November 14, 2026
📝LINE-UP📝
🏆MIZUHO BLUE CHALLENGE THE KALLANG FOOTBALL SERIES SINGAPORE
🆚ブラジル代表🇧🇷
1 鈴木彩艶(GK)
3 瀬古歩夢
6 中野就斗
10 堂安律(C)
11 前田大然
13 中村敬斗
15 鎌田大地
16 町田浩樹
17 田中碧
20 久保建英
21 伊藤洋輝
𝐒𝐔𝐁🔄
12… pic.twitter.com/4jyienY1PZ
Japan v Brazil head-to-head
09:32 , Jamie BraidwoodJapan have only beaten Brazil once in their history. Until the summer’s World Cup, that was their last meeting, too, a 3-2 win over the Selecao at a friendly in Tokyo in September 2025. This will be their 10th meeting and Brazil have won six of the previous nine, including the summer’s 2-1 win in Texas.
Japan defender Sugaware sad at expected Moriyasu departure
09:20 , Jack RathbornJapan defender Yukinari Sugawara is sad to see what is expected to be the end of Hajime Moriyasu's time as Japan boss.
The veteran coach will likely leave the national team prematurely, following the postponement of the 2027 Asian Cup, with Under-23 coach Go Oiwa stepping up after this international break and games against Brazil and Paraguay.
"It's always sad,” Sugawara told ESPN. “To see he will leave. I don't know. We're not sure.
"I think the association has not decided anything yet so we have to see the situation, but we can guess these two games will be the last games for him.
"We have to think about it and do something special."
Raphinha encouraged by Brazil future after disappointing World Cup 2026
09:10 , Jack Rathborn"My expectations are good. Obviously, we are going through a period of rebuilding with new players, but I see players with a lot of quality and a great desire to give everything they can for the national team shirt," said Raphinha.
"This is a match of World Cup calibre, as we saw at the last World Cup. It will be a very difficult game because we know the quality of Japan's national team."
Carlo Ancelotti sets out Brazil ambition before Japan test
09:00 , Jamie Braidwood"The World Cup closed a cycle for a generation of players," Ancelotti told reporters ahead of friendlies against Japan and Singapore.
"We are now building a new generation to be focused and competitive in our next official competitions: the Copa America in 2028 and the World Cup in 2030.
"I think we have a lot of potential. We are looking at young players, including some new players here, and we are very satisfied with what we are seeing.
"We have young players with a lot of quality and talent, so we look to the future with confidence."
