Bruno Guimaraes hoping to bounce back from ‘blackout’ on Tuesday | OneFootball

Bruno Guimaraes starting for Brazil against Japan on Tuesday.

Brazil starting the match strongly and in command, after 26 minutes a lovely move with the Newcastle United midfielder at the heart of it, eventually his stunning through ball (watch below) playing in Paulo Henrique to finish sweetly.

Lucas Paqueta then six minutes later with a brilliant pass, his ball over the top releasing Martinelli to finish. Brazil in complete control but then Fabricio Bruno having a nightmare. On 52 minutes the Brazil defender fell over as he tried to play the ball out, leaving Minamino with the simplest of finishes past the keeper.

On 57 minutes a triple substitution by Carlo Ancelotti, seeing Joelinton for Bruno Guimaraes one of the three changes. Five minutes later and a right wing cross found Nakamura beyond the far post and his shot back across goal was helped into his own net by Fabricio Bruno as he tried to clear, the defender continuing his own personal nightmare and Brazil defending in general.

A remarkable Japan turnaround and the Brazil defensive shambles then completed, when in the 71st minute a left wing corner was headed home by Ueda, a feeble challenge from Brazil defender Beraldo. Joelinton almost rescuing a draw when in the sixth minute of added time, his right footed shot from outside the box was saved in the top right corner by keeper Zion Suzuki.

Japan understandably ecstatic when the final whistle went, winning 3-2 against Brazil. Ancelotti’s side had looked so good the opening 50 minutes when attacking, then experiencing a defensive nightmare and somehow losing this game they had been in control of.

Bruno was one of the few Brazil players who were blameless. He played really well in the 57 minutes he was on the pitch and Brazil in control. The Newcastle United star talking about a Brazil ‘blackout’ in that second half and certainly those in the centre of defence had a nightmare.

Bruno Guimaraes has been reflecting on the Japan defeat when talking to Brazil media outlet Globo Esporte:

“The first half [against Japan] was very good and we controlled the game.

“Then in the second half we switched off.

“It was a match we had in hand and you can’t concede three goals in 25 minutes.

“A mix of feelings because if you look at the four halves [in two friendlies against South Korea and Japan] we played, three were perfect and in one we had a ‘blackout’.

“Something that can’t happen…especially so close to the World Cup.

“We are together in the good and the bad moments and there are a lot of positives to take from this [Japan] match.

“But these 45 minutes can’t happen again.”