Japan survive Brazil fightback to snatch dramatic 3-2 friendly victory

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Japan stunned Brazil with a dramatic 3-2 victory in an international friendly on Saturday, scoring a 91st-minute winner after surrendering a two-goal first-half advantage.

The Japanese side made a blistering start, taking control of the encounter with two goals inside the opening 20 minutes before Brazil fought back to level the score in the second half.

Takefusa Kubo opened the scoring in the 15th minute, finishing a defence-splitting pass with a low strike into the bottom-right corner.

Japan doubled their advantage four minutes later when Keito Nakamura broke through the Brazilian defence and fired into the bottom-left corner to make it 2-0.

Brazil gradually found their rhythm and pulled one goal back in the 33rd minute through Vinicius Junior, who unleashed a superb long-range effort into the top-left corner.

Japan went into the break with a 2-1 lead, but Brazil increased the pressure after the restart in search of an equaliser.

Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki denied Raphinha in the 49th minute with an important save, but Brazil eventually drew level in the 75th minute.

Vinicius Junior was again on target, driving a powerful effort towards the right post. The ball struck the base of the post before crossing the line to make it 2-2.

Just when Brazil appeared to have rescued a draw, Japan delivered the decisive blow in the 91st minute.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto reacted quickest to a rebound inside the Brazilian penalty area and fired low into the net to restore Japan’s lead. The goal underwent a VAR review before the referee confirmed it, sparking celebrations among the Japanese players.

The closing moments descended into controversy, with Raphinha shown a red card in the 92nd minute for unsporting conduct off the pitch. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti was also sent off.

Japan held on to their advantage until the final whistle to complete an impressive 3-2 victory, despite Brazil’s second-half fightback.