Brazil ramp up their push for a sixth star as they begin their World Cup knockouts campaign against dark horses Japan, but they are already in trouble courtesy of a Kaishu Sano goal.
After an underwhelming start in a 1-1 draw with Morocco, Carlo Ancelotti’s side seemed to have found their groove in North America after storming to successive 3-0 wins against Haiti and Scotland to top Group C.
But they have by no means been handed a lay-up in the round of 32, with Japan yet to be beaten at these finals – and the Selecao will have bad memories of tonight’s opposition. Japan actually got the better of Brazil in a friendly last October, coming from two goals down to stun the five-time World Cup winners 3-2.
Might a repeat be in store? At this rate, yes, after Sano’s wonderful run on goal and strike into the bottom corner in the first half.
Follow all the latest updates from Brazil vs Japan in the World Cup round of 32 below:
Brazil 1-1 Japan
58’ – Now how do Japan respond? They appear to be shirking.
GOAL! Brazil 1-1 Japan (Casemiro 56)
Of course it’s Casemiro. Having stunk the place out in the first half he rises at the back stick to head home from Gabriel’s floated diagonal pass from about six yards.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
54’ – Brazil think they have scored but it does not cross the line! Casemiro’s header is blocked by Tomiyasu on the line. It then comes off Suzuki and takes another deflection before they can eventually clear. Brazil are beginning to purr, Japan are still quite far away from the hydration break to stall this momentum.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
52’ – Good save Suzuki! Danilo sends a decent cross in for Bruno to meet. The header is on target but a little too central and that allows Japan’s goalkeeper to parry away.
Bruno remains Brazil’s only standout so far but they are beginning to raise a level.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
48’ – Maeda races forward, spotting an opportunity to counter, and Danilo brings him down just inside Brazil’s half. That will be another yellow card -the game’s fourth.
Restarted! Brazil 0-1 Japan
46’ – Japan gets us going again.
Brazil have brought on Endrick for Paqueta at the break. Casemiro is still on the pitch.
‘Hardest bit to come’ – Keane
“The hardest bit is yet to come,” Roy Keane warns on ITV while hailing Japan’s “excellent” performance so far.
Ange Postecoglou says Brazil must be “calm” and “not get frustrated” but he would be surprised if there are not any changes.
Former Brazil midfielder ‘really worried’ by performance
Lucas Leiva is concerned at the break.
“Brazil had control of the ball and they played most of the half in Japan’s half, but they didn’t create as many chances,” he says on BBC radio.
“We were talking about playing wide and we know we don’t have a target man with Matheus Cunha.
“They will have to change something. It looks like Japan will not let anything through the middle. I am really worried. Brazil have to change the way they’re playing, otherwise they will not create chances to equalise.”
Half-time! Brazil 0-1 Japan
And Japan have been fully deserving of their lead against a Brazil team that appear shambolic out of possession.
Brazil 0-1 Japan
48’ – This is the first time that Brazil are losing a World Cup knockout match to a nation not from Europe or South America.
Alan Smith29 June 2026 18:48NewerOlder