Japan staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat five-times world champions Brazil 3-2 in a friendly at a sold-out Tokyo Stadium, earning their first-ever win over the South Americans in 14 meetings as both sides’s World Cup 2026 preparations continued.
Trailing 2-0 at half-time after goals from Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli, the hosts capitalised on Brazilian defensive errors before Ayase Ueda's late header sealed a famous victory to give Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti plenty to ponder.
Takumi Minamino halved the deficit in the 52nd minute after Fabricio Bruno's misplaced pass allowed the forward to score from just inside the box. Nine minutes later, Bruno’s dismal night worsened as he sliced an attempted clearance into his own net to level the match.
With the home crowd in full voice, Japan pressed for a winner. Substitute Junya Ito provided the decisive moment, delivering a pinpoint corner in the 71st minute which Ueda met with a powerful header after beating defender Lucas Beraldo to the ball.
Relive all the action from the remarkable friendly below:
Japan vs Brazil LIVE
- Japan come from two goals down to stun Brazil with 3-2 win in an international friendly in Tokyo
- Japan extend their unbeaten streak at home to 21 matches
- Both nations have already booked their places in next summer's World Cup
- 71' - GOAL! Ueda completes incredible turnaround with header from a corner (JAP 3-2 BRA)
- 63' - GOAL! Nakamura lashes a shot at goal which goes in off Bruno (JAP 2-2 BRA)
- 52' - GOAL! Minamino capitalises on a Brazilian error to lash home (JAP 1-2 BRA)
- 32' - GOAL! Martinelli hammers home first-time half-volley to double the lead (JAP 0-2 BRA)
- 26' - GOAL! Paulo Henrique with a classy outside-of-the-foot finish (JAP 0-1 BRA)
Loss is 'just unacceptable' says Casemiro
14:15 , Luke BakerAfter letting a 2-0 lead slip, Brazil were understandably frustrated and captain Casemiro didn’t hold back when analysing his team’s performance.
“It was a blackout from everyone in our side in the second half,” Casemiro told Brazilian TV station Globo. “This is the highest level, if you fall to sleep in an entire half it can cost you a World Cup, a Copa America, an Olympic medal.
“It's just unacceptable and we must learn from it because the World Cup is just a few months ahead of us. We have to take care of the details because they can cost you everything.”
In pictures: Japan 3-2 Brazil
13:47 , Luke BakerA remarkable day in Tokyo as Japan complete an incredible comeback victory
FULL-TIME! Japan 3-2 Brazil
13:31 , Luke BakerAND IT’S OVER! Wow! What a comeback by Japan, who were dead and buried at 2-0 down at half-time after Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli goals.
But the hosts were unbelievable in the second half as Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura and then Ayase Ueda all scored to snatch the unlikeliest of 3-2 wins.
That’s now 21 games unbeaten at home for Japan, they’re unbeaten in the country since a defeat to Colombia in March 2023.
Japan 3-2 Brazil, 90+5 mins
13:28 , Luke BakerOnly about 60 seconds to go now. Japan have bodies behind the ball and Ajinomoto Stadium is absolutely rocking, as it has been all match long.
Joelinton flicks a first-time shot from the edge of the area but it’s easy enough for Suzuki to catch and he gratefully drops to his knees to waste a few precious seconds.
CHANCE! Japan 3-2 Brazil, 90+2 mins
13:26 , Luke BakerMochizuki tries to hare forward on a counter-attack down the right but Joelinton is quick enough to stop him in his tracks.
Then there’s a golden chance to equalise for Brazil! Matheus Cunha gets to the by-line on the right, stands up a cross for Richarlison but he can’t get on top of the header and it flies over the bar. Have to hit the target!
Japan 3-2 Brazil, 89 mins
13:23 , Luke BakerBrazil pour forward and win a corner as Ao Tanaka is hassled into putting the ball behind. cross curled in and Suzuki punches clear.
Bodies on the line now as dark blue shirts dive in front of a Joelinton shot from the edge of the area!
We’re into six minutes of injury-time...
Japan 3-2 Brazil, 87 mins
13:21 , Luke BakerThis has been a thrilling second half. Japan whip a corner in and although it’s initially cleared, Ito collects the ball and dances past multiple players before teeing up one shot that’s blocked and Leeds man Ao Tanaka fires in another that Souza tries to catch but parries wide.
Brazil defend the second corner better but they need a goal themselves from somewhere
Japan 3-2 Brazil, 83 mins
13:20 , Luke BakerThe yellow shirts are pouring forward now and they whip ball after ball into the box. The dark blue wall is not breaking just yet however.
Another couple of Japan subs as Koki Ogawa and Henry Mochizuki are on for Ritsu Doan, who had been booked a short while ago, and Daichi Kamada
And then Souza is alert to come off his line and claim a deflected cross
Japan 3-2 Brazil, 79 mins
13:16 , Luke BakerBrazil are not out of this yet though. They win a corner and Suzuki does well to punch away the initial cross. Richarlison fires in a follow-up shot but it’s wide.
Japan 3-2 Brazil, 75 mins
13:15 , Luke BakerIt's all Japan now as they're streaming forward. Yuki Soma takes a shot from outside the box, which is saved by Hugo Souza.
Lots more subs for both sides as Caio Henrique, Estevao and Richarlison are on for Brazil with Carlos Augusto, Luiz Henrique and Lucas Paqueta going off.
Soma, Shuto Machino and Ao Tanaka are on for Japan, with all three goalscorers, Takumi Minamino, Ayase Ueda and Keito Nakamura off.
GOAL! Japan 3-2 Brazil (Ayase Ueda, 71 mins)
13:08 , Luke BakerINCREDIBLE. INCREDIBLE. Somehow, someway, Japan lead in Tokyo!
They win a corner and Junya Ito gets the ball into the box where Ayase Ueda gets above his man and heads at goal from close-range. It’s more or less straight at Hugo Souza but he can’t react quickly enough and can only parry the ball into the net and this stadium is going wild!
CHANCE! Japan 2-2 Brazil, 68 mins
13:05 , Luke BakerBrazil’s best moment of the second half as firstly they have the ball int he net but Luiz Henrique is pinged for offside before Rodrygo slips in Joelinton.
The Newcastle man can run at goal but gets his shot all wrong as it skews well wide under pressure from a defender. That was a glorious chance.
Japan 2-2 Brazil, 65 mins
13:03 , Luke BakerJapan are pressing again here and they have an appeal for a penalty. Keito Nakamura gets down the left, cuts the ball back for Ritsu Doan in the middle of the box and his shot is blocked by Casemiro. Appeals for handball.
It may have struck Casemiro’s arm but his hands were by his side, so nothing doing.
GOAL! Japan 2-2 Brazil (Keito Nakamura, 63 mins)
12:59 , Luke BakerOH MY WORD! JAPAN ARE LEVEL! They have been brilliant in this second half and are suddenly back at 2-2.
The ball comes down the right and is lofted all the way across the box. Keito Nakamura lashes it goalwards and Fabricio Bruno takes a wild swing at it, only diverting it into the roof of the net.
It will go down as Nakamura’s goal for now as it may well have been on target but it’s pretty mediocre defending once again from Bruno, who was at fault for the first goal as well. Not that Japan care! They’re back level and their 20-game unbeaten streak at home may be being preserved!
Japan 1-2 Brazil, 61 mins
12:55 , Luke BakerAre Brazil just wobbling slightly here? Japan on the attack again and Ayase Ueda is involved as the ball just drifts wide.
Down the other end, Casemiro gets half a yard of space to the right of the box and gets a shot away but it’s straight at Kion Suzuki.
Japan 1-2 Brazil, 58 mins
12:53 , Luke BakerNow a triple Brazil change and it’s not bad firepower to bring off the bench... Newcastle star Joelinton, Man United’s Matheus Cunha and Real Madrid’s Rodrygo all enter the fray as Bruno Guimaraes, goalscorer Gabriel Martinelli and Vinicius Jr exit
Japan 1-2 Brazil, 55 mins
12:51 , Luke BakerFabricio Bruno will not want to watch that goal back. Catastrophic from the Brazil centre-back.
The stadium so buzzing even more than before now though. First Japanese sub as Genk man Junya Ito comes on for Takefusa Kubo
GOAL! Japan 1-2 Brazil (Takumi Minamino, 52 mins)
12:47 , Luke BakerAND THERE’S THE BREAKTHROUGH! It’s well deserved given the way they’ve started the second half and Takumi Minamino is the man who gets Japan back in this contest.
It’s frankly diabolical Brazilian defending as they play the ball around the back, Fabricio Bruno takes a heavy touch, then slips and the ball falls to Minamino who keeps his composure and lashes past Hugo Souza. Game on!
Japan 0-2 Brazil, 50 mins
12:45 , Luke BakerThis is already better from Japan at the start of this second 45! The perennially lively Ritsu Doan weaves his way between tacklers in the area and his ball across falls to Takumi Minamino.
The ex Liverpool and Southampton man lashes it goalwards but it’s well blocked before falling to Takefusa Kubo who has another shot that is again blocked by a Brazilian lunge. They’re getting closer though
Japan 0-2 Brazil, 48 mins
12:42 , Luke BakerNo half-time subs by the way, although you’d expect big changes from both coaches as the second half wears on.
Japan with a couple of forays into the Brazil half early int his second period but poor pass selection on both occasions leads to offside calls ending the attack
KICK-OFF! Japan 0-2 Brazil
12:39 , Luke BakerBack underway in Tokyo. More Brazilian magic in this second 45 minutes or will Japan find a way back into it?
In pictures: Japan 0-2 Brazil
12:31 , Luke BakerTwo cracking goals from Brazil in that opening 45 minutes
HALF-TIME! Japan 0-2 Brazil
12:23 , Luke BakerImpressive stuff from Brazil in that first half. They weren’t ridiculously dominant but two moments of absolute quality led to goals from Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli.
They’re well on their way to a comfortable victory here in Tokyo.
Japan 0-2 Brazil, 44 mins
12:19 , Luke BakerFair play to this Japanese crowd, they’ve not stopped singing for a single second of this match. A cracking atmosphere. The drummer will have earned his half-time rest!
Brazil are just taking the sting out of this clash as we approach half-time.
Japan 0-2 Brazil, 41 mins
12:18 , Luke BakerAppeals for a penalty from the Japanese crowd and the players but it’s hopeful more than anything. Takefusa Kubo does really nice to show quick feet and dart past a defender.
He might be fouled outside the box with a grab but he shrugs it of and bundles his way into the box where he then goes down under minimal contact from Lucas Beraldo. Speculative.
Japan 0-2 Brazil, 37 mins
12:15 , Luke BakerJapan are getting into the Brazil final third but can’t find a way past the yellow wall at the moment. Daichi Kamada looks frustrated as his pass is cut out.
Here’s a shot of that superb Paulo Henrique finish for the first goal. Kion Suzuki had no chance
Japan 0-2 Brazil, 34 mins
12:11 , Luke BakerThat was a really calmly-taken finish by the Arsenal forward and it’s hard to see Japan getting themselves back into this match now.
GOAL! Japan 0-2 Brazil (Gabriel Martinelli, 32 mins)
12:09 , Luke BakerIt’s just like watching Brazil! And just like that the five-time world champs are 2-0 up! Again, it’s beautifully clinical in attack.
Rapid link-up play on the edge of the box before a gorgeous dinked chip over the top of the defence bu Lucas Paqueta allows Gabriel Martinelli – who has timed his run perfectly – to get in behind and hammer a first-time, left-footed half-volley beyond Suzuki into the far corner. Class.
Japan 0-1 Brazil, 29 mins
12:08 , Luke BakerA solid response to going 1-0 down from Japan as they loft a number of searching balls forward. The Brazilian defence holding strong though
GOAL! Japan 0-1 Brazil (Paulo Henrique, 26 mins)
12:04 , Luke BakerAnd Brazil take the lead! It’s sort of out of nothing but brilliantly ruthless from the five-time world champions.
Neat link-up play and quick feet outside the area sees the ball fizzed through by Bruno Guimaraes to Paulo Henrique and he expertly finishes beyond Kion Suzuki first-time, with the outside of his foot - a classy, classy finish. Fist pumps from Carlo Ancelotti on the sideline. Nothing the Japanese defence could do about that.
MISS! Japan 0-0 Brazil, 23 mins
12:00 , Luke BakerNicely worked by Brazil from a throw-in as Vini Jr slips a reverse pass to Martinelli whose pace allows him to keep the ball in at the by-line but his low cross is well gathered by a diving Kion Suzuki.
Then a HUGE CHANCE at the other end for Japan. Great footwork by Ritsu Doan on the edge of the area to create space before Takefusa Kubo flicks the ball across the face of goal and, at full stretch Ayase Ueda pokes wide at the back post! He can’t have been more than four yards out, albeit on the stretch, and the ball slips agonisingly wide. A rueful look from the Japan striker
Japan 0-0 Brazil, 18 mins
11:56 , Luke BakerVinicius Jr has an opportunity to run at the defence but an attempted stepover goes wrong and the ball cannons off his foot and harmlessly out for a goal-kick. Japan won’t want to give the Real Madrid star too many opportunities like that to charge at them though.
This was the Martinelli chance that drifted wide of the far post
Japan 0-0 Brazil, 16 mins
11:52 , Luke BakerThis has been decent from Japan so far. A brilliant sliding challenge from Daichi Kamada on the edge of the Brazil box wins the ball back, it’s laid off to Kaishu Sano and he thumps a shot goalwards that takes a deflection and loops into the air. It could go anywhere but luckily for Brazil it’s straight into Hugo Souza’s hands
Japan 0-0 Brazil, 13 mins
11:49 , Luke BakerGreat noise from the Japanese fans so far. Drums banging and non-stop singing in Tokyo - it’s a cracking atmosphere for a friendly.
Ayase Ueda wins a free-kick on halfway as he’s fouled in the air by a strong Fabricio Bruno challenge. The Japanese striker, who scored the injury-time equaliser against Paraguay on Friday, ruefully rubs his head as he gets up. I suspect he’d say that wasn’t really worth it.
CLOSE! Japan 0-0 Brazil, 10 mins
11:46 , Luke BakerA first real sight of goal as a loose first-time clearance from Tsuyoshi Watanabe falls straight to Gabriel Martinelli and the Arsenal man bursts into the box. He’s to the right of the goal and clips a shot across the face but it drifts just wide of the far post. Not a million miles away
Japan 0-0 Brazil, 9 mins
11:44 , Luke BakerBrazil are being patient in possession but just starting to probe, searching for a way through the dark blue wall. Bruno Guimaraes’ lofted ball over the top is well cut out.
Ritsu Doan with a lovely touch as he slides past a defender in the centre of the park and Keito Nakamura then stepovers his way past Luiz Henrique to get to the byline but his low cross is blocked away. Promising for the hosts though.
Japan 0-0 Brazil, 5 mins
11:41 , Luke BakerBrazil enjoy a sustained spell of possession and Luiz Henrique does a neat step-over as he takes on the defender down the right touchline. An early warning sign for the hosts.
Unsurprisingly, the Selecao are keen to keep the ball but the Japanese front-line are pressing hard and causing the Brazilian backline to rush their passes. Takefusa Kubo wins the ball back doing exactly that but the yellow shirts swarm around him
Japan 0-0 Brazil, 2 mins
11:38 , Luke BakerDecent start by Japan as they attack down the left and the crowd rise to their feet but a cross is blocked.
Junnosuke Suzuki lunges to try and win the ball back but commits the foul and the danger ends.
KICK-OFF! Japan 0-0 Brazil
11:36 , Luke BakerAnthems done, followed by a minute’s silence. So, slightly later than scheduled we’re underway in Tokyo.
Japan looking to extend their 20-game unbeaten streak at home, while Brazil want to build on a 5-0 win over South Korea last time out.
Japan v Brazil teams
11:26 , Luke BakerWe’re only a couple of minutes away from kick-off now in Tokyo.
Here’s a reminder of the line-ups.
Japan XI: K Suzuki; J Suzuki, Taniguchi, Watanabe; Doan, Kamada, Sano, Nakamura; Minamino, Kubo; Ueda
Brazil XI: Souza, P. Henrqiue, Bruno, Beraldo, Augusto, Casemiro, Guimaraes, Paqueta, L. Henrique, Vinicius Jr, Martinelli
In pictures: Brazil train ahead of Japan clash
11:23 , Luke BakerIt was a good day of training for Brazil in Tokyo yesterday.
What they said: Brazil content with big South Korea win
11:14 , Luke BakerBrazil were pleased as they brushed aside South Korea 5-0 on Friday, with coach Carlo Ancelotti and two-goal striker Rodrygo discussing the win
“Satisfaction comes from the collective team play as, if you build a strong base with a solid defensive team, the individual quality up front will show,” said Ancelotti.
“Today it worked very well because Rodrygo played a very good game, Estevao as well.
“At the World Cup, we'll have to face teams with solid defences, and our players showed they can overcome this with individual abilities.”
Rodrygo added: “He (Ancelotti) stressed the importance of everyone staying committed and playing with intensity and that starts with the forwards pressing.
“Everyone defends, everyone helps, little-by-little, the attack starts to work. I’m very happy with the victory and with my personal performance too. Let’s keep it up.”
In pictures: Japan grab 2-2 draw with Paraguay
11:07 , Luke BakerIt wasn’t always pretty but Japan preserved their unbeaten run at home against Paraguay
Last time out: Japan snatch late equaliser against Paraguay
11:00 , Luke BakerAlso on Friday, Japan snatched a late equaliser against fellow World Cup qualifiers Paraguay to preserve a 20-game unbeaten streak at home.
Ex-Newcastle star Miguel Almiron put the South American side 1-0 up and although Koki Ogawa equalised, Paraguay retook the lead when Diego Gomez netted.
That looked to be handing the Samurai Blue a first home loss since going down to Colombia in March 2023 but, four minutes into injury-time, Ayase Ueda managed to snatch an equaliser.
Will Brazil end that streak today?
Japan team news
10:57 , Luke BakerAnd here’s the Japan XI. It looks slightly depleted with maybe only four players who you’d expect to start the opening World Cup match in the side. Could their 20-game home unbeaten streak be under threat?
Ayase Ueda starts up top after his 94th-minute equaliser against Paraguay last time out, while former Liverpool man Takumi Minamino (now at Monaco) and Take Kubo will try to bring the creative spark in behind Ueda.
Japan are without the likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endu, Hiroki Ito and Takehiro Tomiyasu among others.
Japan XI: K Suzuki; J Suzuki, Taniguchi, Watanabe; Doan, Kamada, Sano, Nakamura; Minamino, Kubo; Ueda
Brazil team news
10:47 , Luke BakerHere’s the Brazil team that will take on Japan today.
A Premier League midfield of Man United’s Casemiro, Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta will sit behind an attack including Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli.
Estevao and Rodrygo, who both scored twice against South Korea on Friday, are on a very strong-looking bench that also boasts the likes of Richarlison, Matheus Cunha, Joelinton, Vitinha and Gabriel.
Brazil XI: Souza, P. Henrqiue, Bruno, Beraldo, Augusto, Casemiro, Guimaraes, Paqueta, L. Henrique, Vinicius Jr, Martinelli
In pictures: Brazil beat South Korea 5-0
10:39 , Luke BakerIt was plain sailing for Brazil in Seoul on Friday evening
Last time out: Brazil thrash South Korea
10:28 , Luke BakerThis is the second leg of Brazil’s Asian tour during this international break after they beat South Korea 5-0 on Friday.
Estevao and Rodrygo each netted twice as Brazil showed their evolving attacking shape under manager Carlo Ancelotti at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
They opened the scoring in the 13th minute through 18-year-old winger Estevao from close range after a perfectly weighted through ball from Bruno Guimaraes before Rodrygo doubled the lead before half-time with a brilliant curling strike into the bottom corner.
Brazil struck again after the break as Estevao capitalised on a misplaced pass from Kim Min-Jae for his second before Rodrygo finished off a swift move started by Vinicius Jr, who wrapped up the win after another counter in the 77th minute.
When is the 2026 World Cup draw and how does the new group stage work?
10:15 , Luke BakerThe 48 nations competing at the 2026 World Cup will discover their group stage opponents when the draw takes place on 5 December.
The tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from 32 in Qatar, and will also be the first World Cup to be hosted by three countries. The majority of games (78) will be staged in the USA, with Mexico and Canada hosting 13 each.
The World Cup will begin on 11 June in Mexico’s historic Azteca Stadium, the scene of Brazil’s 1970 glory inspired by Pele and Argentina’s success in 1986 inspired by Diego Maradona. It will conclude with the final on 19 July at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Here is everything you need to know.
When is the 2026 World Cup draw and how does the new group stage work?
World Cup 2026: Who is through and how does qualifying work?
10:08 , Luke BakerAs mentioned, both Japan and Brazil have already booked their spots in the US, Canada and Mexico next summer.
In fact, Japan were the first team to qualify with a 2-0 win over Bahrain in March ensuring progression through the Asian qualifiers.
Brazil, meanwhile, qualified back in June after beating Paraguay 1-0, a victory that acted as Carlo Ancelotti’s first in the hot seat.
World Cup 2026: Who is through and how does qualifying work?
Japan v Brazil
09:59 , Luke BakerWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of Japan v Brazil in an international friendly.
Preparations are continuing for the 2026 World Cup and two teams that have already qualified for next summer’s tournament are meeting in Tokyo
