The Brazilian national team wrapped up the October international break with a surprising 3–2 loss to Japan in Tokyo. The result not only ended a 13-game unbeaten streak against the Japanese but also exposed the inconsistency of a team still searching for balance under Carlo Ancelotti. Despite having more possession and controlling the match for most of the game, Brazil was punished for costly mistakes.
First half under control and efficiency
The start was promising. Brazil came out with intensity and quickly showed its technical superiority. At nine minutes, Martinelli took advantage of a mistake in Japan’s defense, broke into the box, and sent in a dangerous cross. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made the save to keep it level. Shortly after, Ancelotti’s team opened the scoring with a beautiful goal from Paulo Henrique. Bruno Guimarães received a pass from Lucas Paquetá and played the fullback through in stride. Wearing number 13, he struck first-time to score his first goal for the national team.
Brazil kept pressing and found its second goal before halftime. Lucas Paquetá chipped a clever ball to Gabriel Martinelli, who controlled it and fired with his left foot to double the lead. The game seemed fully under control. Japan created a few counterattacks, giving Brazil’s defense some trouble, but the back line managed to handle the pressure.
Japan’s comeback and decisive mistakes
The balance shifted in the second half. Japan came back more organized and took advantage of Brazil’s first major mistake. At six minutes, Fabrício Bruno misplayed a pass coming out of the back, and Minamino pounced to pull one back. The goal gave the home team confidence, and they started pressing higher up the field.
At sixteen minutes, Ito sent a cross to the far post, and Nakamura volleyed it in. Brazil’s defense tried to clear but couldn’t stop the equalizer. From that point on, Brazil lost its shape and suffered a total lapse in focus. Japan maintained the attacking pressure and completed the comeback with Ueda, who met another cross from Ito and headed home to make it 3–2.
Ancelotti made substitutions, but the team couldn’t respond with the same intensity as in the first half. Brazil tried to create through Paquetá and Bruno Guimarães, but ran into a well-positioned Japanese defense that held firm until the final whistle.