Substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored in the first minute of stoppage time to give Japan a 3-2 win over Brazil at Singapore’s National Stadium on Saturday (14 November).
A crowd of 38,688 watched the Mizuho Blue Challenge friendly, which ended with two red cards after Brazil appealed for a foul in the build-up to the winning goal.
Brazil Come Back From Two Goals Down
Japan needed just 19 minutes to go two goals up. Takefusa Kubo opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Ritsu Doan played him through. Four minutes later, Shuto Nakano crossed from the right for Keito Nakamura to make it 2-0.
Vinícius Júnior pulled one back in the 33rd minute, firing into the top corner from outside the penalty area. The Real Madrid forward struck again in the 75th minute, curling his shot in off the post to bring Brazil level.
Brazil nearly went ahead when substitute Endrick hit the crossbar. Instead, the deciding goal came at the other end. A deflected effort fell to Sakamoto, who lifted the ball over Brazil goalkeeper Pedro Morisco for his first international goal.
Two Red Cards After Japan’s Winner
Brazil appealed for a foul on midfielder João Gomes in the build-up. AFP reported that the video assistant referee upheld the goal.
Singapore referee Jansen Foo showed red cards to Ancelotti and Raphinha after the protests. Raphinha, who had started the match as Brazil’s captain, had already been substituted.
Ancelotti said at the post-match press conference that Foo told him he had been sent off because he had failed to control his bench.
Japan’s Second Win Over Brazil in 16 Meetings
Japan’s first win over Brazil also ended 3-2, in Tokyo in October 2025. Brazil won their next meeting 2-1 in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup in June, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring the winner in stoppage time.
The teams had also met at Singapore’s National Stadium in 2014, when Neymar scored all four goals in a 4-0 win for Brazil.
Brazil will return to the National Stadium on Tuesday (17 November) to face Singapore at 6pm. Japan will play Paraguay at the same venue at 9.10pm to close out the four-nation series.
