Edited by Paul Elegbeleye
Joga Bonito
Brazil boasts of some of the most recognizable names in football ever: Pele, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazário, Roberto Carlos, Garrincha, and Rivaldo to name a few.
More recently, Brazil has given the football world the gift of Neymar Jr., a generational talent whose international career has been less glorious than those of his legendary predecessors, largely due to injuries.
Known to many as the prince who never became king, Neymar is a fan favourite whenever he is on the pitch, and this is his last dance at the World Cup.
The stakes are ridiculously high, especially now that the group stage is over, and every match could be the last. Japan does not have the history that their opponents do, but they have skill, and they have heart.
Their first World Cup appearance was in 1998 where they lost all three of their games, and their first win came in 2002 at the tournament Brazil went on to win 24 years ago.
This national team has continued to build over two decades and are now a serious force to reckon with, especially at World Cups. The Japanese even faced off with the Brazilians recently, in October 2025, and defeated them 3 goals to 2. However, the East Asian nation has never made it beyond the group stages at any World Cup, but this time, it just might be possible.
With recent performances taken into consideration, many surprisingly consider Brazil the underdog against Japan.
Table of Contents
Brazil vs Japan: How it all Began
From the first whistle, the game is end to end, both teams going at it with victory and nothing else in mind. Dangerous balls and speedy runs are made by players of both sides, forcing goalkeepers to sharpen their reflexes and while defenders make important decisions.
Soon, the early frenzy wears off, and the game pans out into what it would be till the end-Brazil in control of the tempo and Japan relying on select moments of tactfulness when in offensive and defensive positions likewise.
One of the first real threats Brazil’s attacking trio had on the Japanese box ends with Bruno Guimarães‘ powerful shot hitting his teammate Lucas Paquetá square in the face, sending him to the ground in pain. The moment is one of huge relief and even amusement for the Japanese fans in the crowd.
Kaishu Sano gets a yellow card for a challenge on Vinícius Jr.; it is a 50-50 situation where they both reach for the ball, but his foot lands on Vinicius’s. Shortly after, Casemiro gets a card of his own for a challenge on Japan’s number 14, Junya Ito. This leads to a dangerously positioned set piece in Japan’s favour. It is played straight into the wall and leads to nothing.
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Japan Broke the Deadlock
The Canarinho rely on talent and individual star power, while the Samurai Blue thrive through strong organisation and a systemic stifling of said star power.
Just before the 30-minute mark, Sano steals the ball in the midfield and charges straight down in the middle of the park to the edge of the Brazilian box where he shoots from. This perfectly timed low shot breaks the deadlock. Brazil 0-1 Japan.
The goal seems only to energise the Brazilians; it serves as a wake-up call for them. Where most teams may suffer a reduction in morale when they concede a goal, Brazil is instead spurred to action, and they begin the chase for an equaliser with zeal.
Despite this, the first half ends with Japan in the lead, only forty-five minutes away from making it passed the Knockout stages for the first time in their history.
Brazil’s Second-Half Equaliser
The second half resumes and Brazil seize control quickly. If they were dominant before, they were completely authoritarian now. The star-studded side hog the ball and retain almost all the possession and Japan is forced to be content with defending their one goal lead for the time being.
Brazil came close to drawing level when Casemiro’s flying header nearly crosses the line of goal. Japanese goalie, Zion Suzuki is more than just a little relieved that their lead remains intact. Casemiro eventually gets his moment when he meets Gabriel Magalhaes‘ cross in the air and nods it into the Japanese net. Brazil 1-1 Japan.
Chance after chance comes and the feeling that Brazil will eventually turn this match around grows with each attempt. Vinícius Jr. goes on a dazzling dribbling run and almost puts his team in the lead, but his shot just ricochets off the inside of the post. The suspense stays.
Matheus Cunha is taken off after a gruelling but frustrating shift, and in his place comes Arsenal FC’s Gabriel Martinelli. Brazil’s attacking power is not only sustained, but refreshed.
The pressure stays on the Japanese box, the Asian side hoping only to survive the onslaught and make it to extra time.
Carlo Ancelotti‘s decision to bring Martinelli on proves fruitful when the super sub scores the winner for Brazil, keeping their hopes alive and breaking millions of Japanese hearts in the process. Full-time, Brazil 2-1 Japan.
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