Brazil go 2-0 up but suffer first ever defeat to Japan after comeback | OneFootball

Brazil was defeated for the first time in its history by Japan this Tuesday, 3-2, in a comeback during a friendly match held at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo. Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli scored for the Brazilian team. Minamino, Nakamura, and Ueda scored the goals for the Japanese.

The Brazilian team took the field with eight changes compared to the team that thrashed South Korea. Only Bruno Guimarães, Casemiro, and Vinícius Júnior were kept in the team, which, despite the changes, played an excellent first half, building a comfortable lead.

In the second half, however, the Japanese were more efficient, taking advantage of the Brazilian defensive system's flaws. Thus, they reached a tie and later an improbable historic victory over the Brazilian team.

The Brazilian team will still have two more periods of friendlies before the 2026 World Cup. In November, the Brazilian team is expected to face African teams, probably Senegal and Tunisia, in Europe. In March 2026, the CBF is negotiating friendlies against European teams. France is likely to be one of the opponents. Croatia or the Netherlands may also face Brazil on the mentioned FIFA date.

Match Summary

JAPAN 3 X 2 BRAZIL

 Competition: Friendly  Venue: Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo  Date: October 14, 2025 (Tuesday)  Time: 7:30 AM (Brasília time) 🏟️ Attendance: 44,920 fans.

 Yellow Cards: Estêvão (Brazil)  Red Cards: none

Refereeing

Referee: KIM Jong Hyeok (KOR) Assistants: : PARK Kyunyong (KOR) and JANG Jongpil (KOR)

Goals BRAZIL

– Paulo Henrique, at 26' of the 1st half – Martinelli, at 31' of the 1st half

JAPAN

– Minamino, at 6' of the 2nd half – Nakamura, at 16' of the 2nd half – Ueda, at 25' of the 2nd half

🔵⚪JAPAN

Zion Suzuki; Watanabe, Taniguchi, and Junnosuke Suzuki; Sano, Kamada (Ogawa), Ritsu Doan (Mochizuki), and Nakamura (Soma); Takefusa Kubo (Ito), Minamino (Tanaka), and Ueda (Machino).

Coach: Hajime Moriyasu

🟡🟢🔵BRAZIL

Hugo Souza; Paulo Henrique, Fabrício Bruno, Beraldo, and Carlos Augusto (Caio Henrique); Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães (Joelinton), and Lucas Paquetá (Richarlison); Luiz Henrique (Estêvão), Martinelli (Matheus Cunha), and Vinícius Júnior (Rodrygo).

Coach: Alberto Valentim.

The Game

Brazil Dominates the 1st Half

Japan was the first to pose a threat in the match. At 21 minutes, Doan went against the defense, reached the end line, and crossed to Minamino, who controlled and shot across. Ueda tried to finish at the far post and even reached the ball, but deflected it out, wasting a great opportunity for the home team.

Shortly after, however, Brazil opened the scoring. Paulo Henrique received a deep pass from Bruno Guimarães, entered the area, and shot with the outside of his foot into the corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance, scoring his first goal for the national team in his first match as a starter.

Encouraged, the Brazilian team extended the lead at 31 minutes. Lucas Paquetá received the ball at the edge of the area and delivered a beautiful lob pass to Martinelli, who faced the goal and shot across, hitting the net.

Japan Ties

The Japanese reduced the deficit early in the second half thanks to a huge mistake by Fabrício Bruno, who received a back pass from Lucas Paquetá, controlled it inside the area, but lost balance while passing, delivering it to Minamino, who only needed to shoot at the goal, beating Hugo Souza.

Ten minutes later, the home team tied the match. Nakamura received a cross behind the defense and finished first-time. Fabrício Bruno tried to intercept the shot but ended up scoring an own goal.

Brazil's Goal Disallowed, and Japan Turns the Game

Needing to react, the Brazilian team even scored a third goal with Matheus Cunha, but the referee called offside on Luiz Henrique in the play.

Soon after, Japan managed the comeback. At 25 minutes, Ueda rose unmarked and headed in a corner kick. Hugo Souza tried to save, but the ball crossed the goal line. Thus, the Brazilian team had to accept its first-ever defeat to the Japanese.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.