CORNERFLICK
Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly at Singapore National Stadium. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored the winner in stoppage time, and Carlo Ancelotti was sent off after the late goal.
Japan struck early
Japan took control inside 19 minutes. Takfusa Kubo opened the scoring on the counter-attack, and Kaito Nakamura doubled the lead four minutes later from a Shuto Nakano pass.
Brazil responded through Vinicius Junior in the 33rd minute, then levelled at 2-2 in the 75th minute when the Real Madrid forward finished from a short corner with a shot that went in off both posts. Endrick later hit the crossbar as Brazil pushed for a comeback.
Late controversy and Brazil red cards
Sakamoto decided the match in the 91st minute after a deflected ball fell his way. Brazil’s bench protested strongly, claiming Takumi Minamino had fouled Joao Gomes at the start of the move, but the referee allowed the goal to stand.
Ancelotti and Raphinha were both dismissed after the protests. It was Japan’s second 3-2 win over Brazil in about a year, after a similar result in October 2025. Brazil now turn to a friendly against Singapore on Tuesday, 17 November.