Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in a dramatic international friendly at Singapore's National Stadium on Saturday, 14 November 2026, with substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scoring the winner in the first minute of stoppage time. The result, played as part of the four-nation Mizuho Blue Challenge, gave Japan only their second victory over Brazil in 16 meetings — and a measure of revenge for their World Cup exit at Brazil's hands five months ago.
Japan flew out of the blocks. Takefusa Kubo opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing a defence-splitting pass from Ritsu Doan with a low strike into the bottom corner, and Keito Nakamura doubled the lead four minutes later after a pass from Shuto Nakano. Brazil, the five-time world champions, were 2-0 down inside 20 minutes.
Vinicius Junior dragged Brazil back into the match with two spectacular goals from outside the box. The Real Madrid forward pulled one back in the 33rd minute and then equalised in the 75th, both goals set up by Bruno Guimaraes. At 2-2, with Brazil pushing for a winner, the game looked destined for a draw.
Instead, Japan delivered the decisive blow in the 91st minute. Sakamoto, who had come on as a substitute for Doan, reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the Brazilian penalty area and fired low into the net to restore Japan's lead. Japan held on through the remaining minutes to complete a famous 3-2 victory.
The ending turned ugly. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti and captain Raphinha were both sent off in stoppage time as Brazil protested a possible foul on Joao Gomes in the build-up to the winning goal. Raphinha had been substituted in the 71st minute, replaced by Endrick, but was still dismissed late on, bringing a feisty end to a feisty friendly.
The win mattered to Japan for more than the scoreline. Brazil had knocked Japan out of the 2026 World Cup in the round of 32 in Houston in June, coming from behind to win 2-1 with a stoppage-time goal from Gabriel Martinelli after Japan had scored first. Before October 2025, Japan had never beaten Brazil at senior level in 14 meetings; they won 3-2 in Tokyo that month, coming from two goals down at half-time, and have now beaten the Selecao twice in 13 months — both times by the same 3-2 scoreline.
Japan's form since the World Cup has been strong. Saturday's win extended their unbeaten run to four matches since the tournament, with wins over Uruguay (3-1), Venezuela (2-1) and New Zealand (2-1), plus a penalty shootout victory over Ecuador after a goalless draw. They have lost only one of their last 15 internationals — the World Cup defeat to Brazil. For Brazil, the defeat ended a three-game unbeaten run, and Ancelotti's young squad — Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup by Norway in the round of 16 — have now lost twice to Japan in just over a year.
Both teams are back in action on Tuesday, 17 November, at the same venue. Japan face Paraguay, while Brazil take on hosts Singapore in the first senior meeting between the two sides.
Japan vs Brazil 3-2: Brief Scores
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Japan vs Brazil, international friendly (Mizuho Blue Challenge) |
| Date | Saturday, 14 November 2026 |
| Venue | National Stadium, Singapore |
| Result | Japan 3-2 Brazil |
| Japan scorers | Takefusa Kubo 15', Keito Nakamura 19', Tatsuhiro Sakamoto 90+1' |
| Brazil scorers | Vinicius Junior 33', 75' |
| Red cards | Carlo Ancelotti (coach) and Raphinha (Brazil), both in stoppage time |
| Head-to-head now | 16 meetings: Japan 2 wins, 2 draws, Brazil 12 wins |
| Next fixtures (17 Nov) | Japan vs Paraguay; Brazil vs Singapore |