🔥 Europeans' nightmare? Japan extend impressive record | OneFootball

A possible rival for the Brazil national team in the pre-Round of 16 stage of the FIFA World Cup, Japan extended its unbeaten run against European national teams.

It is now nine matches without defeat after coming back to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands this Sunday (14).

The run of seven wins and two draws began in the group stage of the last World Cup. 

Japan surprised many by defeating Germany and Spain by the same scoreline: 2-1. It advanced to the Round of 16 as the leader of Group E. 

It was then eliminated by Croatia, but on penalties — which still counts toward its unbeaten record within 90 minutes.

The next five matches were friendlies. And all of them ended in Japanese victories.

The first was again against Germany, which was thrashed 4-1 in Wolfsburg in September 2023. 

That result led to Hansi Flick being fired and the subsequent hiring of Julian Nagelsmann by the Nationalelf.

Japan also beat Türkiye (4-2), Scotland (1-0), England at Wembley (1-0) and Iceland (1-0).

That streak will be tested once again on the 25th, when the Blue Samurai take on Sweden.

Before that, next Sunday (21), Japan will face Tunisia in Group F of the World Cup. 

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

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