In a stunning turn of events, Japan overcame a 0-2 deficit to defeat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly match held at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo on Tuesday. This victory marks Japan's first-ever win against the five-time world champions in 14 attempts, sending shockwaves through the football world.
The match, part of both teams' preparations for the 2026 World Cup, saw Brazil initially dominate, building a comfortable lead with goals from Paulo Henrique in the 26th minute and Gabriel Martinelli in the 32nd minute. Brazil was coming off a dominant 5-0 victory over South Korea and looked set to continue their winning form.
However, the second half saw a complete transformation as Japan emerged with renewed energy and determination. Capitalizing on defensive errors from Brazil, Japan began their comeback in the 52nd minute when Takumi Minamino slotted home after a misplaced pass from Fabricio Bruno. Just nine minutes later, Keito Nakamura leveled the score with a deflected shot, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
The decisive moment arrived in the 71st minute when Ayase Ueda headed in a corner from Junya Ito, completing the stunning turnaround and securing the historic victory for Japan. Despite late pressure from Brazil, Japan's defense held firm, sealing the 3-2 win. Goalkeeper Kion Suzuki made some determined saves to prevent Brazil from equalizing.
Japan's head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, while celebrating the victory, urged caution and emphasized the need for further progress. He acknowledged that strong teams would now pay more attention to Japan and stressed the importance of building on the confidence gained from this result. Japan, who have never progressed beyond the Round of 16 at a World Cup, have stated their aim to win the 2026 tournament. This victory over Brazil adds to their growing list of impressive results, including wins against Germany and Spain in the 2022 World Cup group stage.
Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil's coach, now faces questions after his team's collapse in the second half. Brazil's captain, Casemiro, described the second-half performance as a "blackout" and warned that such lapses could cost them in major tournaments like the World Cup. He stressed the need to learn from this defeat and improve before the upcoming World Cup.
The victory extends Japan's unbeaten home streak to 21 games. The match was played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Tokyo Stadium, adding to the electric atmosphere. This historic win will undoubtedly boost Japan's confidence as they continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
