Japan v Brazil live: Hosts stun five-time world champions with incredible comeback win
Japan 3-2 Brazil: Hosts came from two goals down at half-time to secure a remarkable victory as both sides continued their World Cup preparation
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:
Loss is 'just unacceptable' says Casemiro
After 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
A remarkable day in Tokyo as Japan complete an incredible comeback victory
FULL-TIME! Japan 3-2 Brazil
AND 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
Only 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
Mochizuki 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
Brazil 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
This 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
The 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
Brazil 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
It'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.
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