Historic night in Tokyo as Japan beats Brazil 3-2
In a dramatic men’s friendly at a sold-out Tokyo Stadium, Japan staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Brazil 3-2, marking a historic victory that ends a 14-match winless run against the five-time world champions. The result, celebrated by home supporters, underscored how a game can shift in an instant and why football remains unpredictable at the highest level.
First-half dominance by Brazil
The visitors from Brazil took control early, despite a heavily rotated lineup from coach Carlo Ancelotti. Midfield orchestrator Bruno Guimarães pulled the strings and helped Brazil establish a measured tempo. The opening goal arrived in the 26th minute when a perfectly weighted through ball found right-back Henrique, who escaped the offside line and finished calmly. Six minutes later, Gabriel Martinelli added a second, capitalizing on a precise lobbed pass from Lucas Paquetá. Brazil’s combination play and high pressing left Japan chasing shadows as they attempted to find a foothold against a familiar, polished system.
Brazil’s disappointment and Japan’s growing belief
Despite the two-goal cushion, Brazil’s performance carried a sense of fragility that would become their undoing after the break. The discussions inside the Brazilian camp focused on maintaining concentration and avoiding simple errors that had taxed their defense in the second period. As the half wore on, Japan’s pressing intensified, and gaps began to appear in Brazil’s backline, setting the stage for a dramatic turnaround.
Japan’s resilience turns the tide
After the break, Japan came out with renewed purpose. Takumi Minamino pulled one back in the 52nd minute after a misplayed pass by Fabrício Bruno allowed him to strike from inside the box. Keito Nakamura then levelled the score in the 62nd minute, finishing through a crowded area as Japan grew in confidence and belief.
Late drama and a decisive moment
The defining moment arrived in the 71st minute when a Junya Ito corner found Ayase Ueda at the near post, beating Brazil’s defender Lucas Beraldo to the ball and powering a header past the goalkeeper. The home crowd roared as Japan completed the improbable comeback, leaving Brazil stunned and reflecting on a “blackout” that veteran captain Casemiro described as unacceptable at the highest level.
Aftermath and implications
Casemiro’s candid post-match assessment highlighted the pressure on Brazil ahead of major tournaments: “This is the highest level, if you fall asleep in an entire half it can cost you a World Cup.” Brazil’s coach had rotated his squad heavily, keeping only Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, and Vinícius Júnior from a stronger lineup, but the result still stings. For Japan, the victory is a breakthrough moment that could energize their preparations for forthcoming fixtures and build confidence against elite teams.
Looking ahead
Both teams will reassess ahead of their next assignments. Brazil will aim to translate the first-half control into consistent performances, while Japan will hope this win becomes a turning point, demonstrating that resilience and precise set-piece execution can alter the course of a game against world-class opponents. The Tokyo crowd will remember this night as a reminder that football can deliver stunning upsets when the collective spirit is firing on all cylinders.
