Japan Stun Brazil 3-2 With Stoppage-Time Winner in Singapore

Japan secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Brazil in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Singapore on Saturday, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.

Vinicius Junior scored twice to bring Brazil back from a two-goal deficit after Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura had put Japan ahead within the opening 19 minutes.

However, Sakamoto struck late to seal the victory for Japan in front of 38,688 spectators.

The match was the first meeting between both countries since Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in the round of 32 at the World Cup in June.

Japan made a strong start, scoring twice in a four-minute spell.

Kubo opened the scoring in the 15th minute after receiving a through ball from Ritsu Doan just inside Brazil’s half. He cut inside Jair before sending a low shot past goalkeeper Pedro Morisco.

Japan doubled their lead shortly afterwards. Shuto Nakano broke down the right flank before delivering a cross to Nakamura, who was unmarked and calmly placed his right-footed effort into the bottom corner.

Brazil responded through Vinicius in the 33rd minute.

Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki had earlier denied Estevao, but he could not stop Vinicius from finding the top corner with a powerful diagonal right-footed strike after the ball fell to him.

Suzuki made further saves to deny Brazilian debutant Andre shortly before half-time and captain Raphinha after the break as Japan held on to their lead.

Brazil eventually drew level in the 75th minute when Vinicius cut inside from the left and fired a low shot into the net off the right post.

The visitors pushed for a winner, with substitute Endrick hitting the crossbar with a powerful effort, while Joao Gomes sent a low shot narrowly wide.

But Japan had the final say in stoppage time.

Kodai Sano’s effort took a deflection off a defender and fell into Sakamoto’s path. The substitute made no mistake, firing past Morisco to secure Japan’s victory.

Brazil protested over a possible foul in the build-up to the goal, but the Video Assistant Referee upheld the decision.

Captain Raphinha and head coach Carlo Ancelotti were subsequently shown red cards for their protests.

Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu, who is expected to step down after Tuesday’s friendly against Paraguay, described the performance as the best of his eight-year tenure.

“I’m happy that I can say that today’s match was the best match in my eight-year tenure,” he said.

“While we couldn’t beat Brazil in the World Cup, we managed to show today what we could have done, and it will be a good build-up for the team for the future.

“Now I need to pass the baton to the next coach, and that’s all I am focusing on.”

Moriyasu is expected to hand over to his successor, Go Oiwa.

Despite the defeat, Ancelotti said he was satisfied with his young team’s performance, except for their slow start.

“Apart from the result, I think for 70 minutes we played well,” the Italian said.

“We played what we wanted to do, play with intensity. I am satisfied with the game we played, apart from the start, which was not good.”