Japan vs Brazil Live: Five-Time World Champions Dominating International Friendly in Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan – In a highly anticipated international friendly, Brazil, the five-time world champions, took on Japan at the Tokyo Stadium. Both teams have already secured their spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The match marked another crucial step in Brazil’s preparations under the guidance of manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The Brazilian team, affectionately known as the Selecao, qualified for the World Cup back in June with a 1-0 win over Paraguay. This victory not only sealed their spot in the tournament but also marked Ancelotti’s first win as the team’s manager. Since then, Brazil has been on a roll, including a 5-0 thrashing of South Korea just a few days ago.
However, Japan proved to be a different proposition altogether. The hosts have been on a 20-game unbeaten streak at home and were looking to cause an upset against the mighty Brazilians. Japan’s unbeaten run has been a testament to their growth as a team, and they were eager to make a statement against a team that has dominated international football for decades.
The match got off to a lively start, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. Brazil’s attack, led by the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, looked menacing, but Japan’s defense held firm. The hosts’ goalkeeper, Shuichi Gonda, made several crucial saves to deny the Brazilians.
As the game wore on, Brazil began to take control. Their midfield maestro, Bruno Guimarães, started to impose his will on the game, dictating the tempo and creating chances for his teammates. The Japanese defense was stretched to the limit, but they managed to keep the score goalless at halftime.
The second half saw Brazil take the lead through a stunning strike from Rodrygo. The young Real Madrid winger collected a pass on the edge of the box, turned his defender inside out, and unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the top corner. Japan pushed hard for an equalizer, but Brazil’s defense was solid.
As the game entered its final 10 minutes, Brazil sealed the win with a beautifully crafted goal. Vinicius Junior played a one-two with Raphael Leão on the left wing before delivering a pinpoint cross into the box. The ball was met by a charging Danilo, who headed it past Gonda to make it 2-0.
The win marked Brazil’s third consecutive victory in as many games under Ancelotti, and it sent a strong message ahead of the World Cup. Japan, on the other hand, will look to regroup and bounce back from this defeat.
Match Details:
- Date: October 14, 2025
- Venue: Tokyo Stadium, Japan
- Attendance: 60,000 (sell-out crowd)
- Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea)
Brazil Starting Lineup:
- Alisson (GK)
- Danilo (RB)
- Éder Militão (CB)
- Marquinhos (CB)
- Alex Sandro (LB)
- Fabinho (DM)
- Bruno Guimarães (CM)
- Lucas Paquetá (AM)
- Vinicius Junior (RW)
- Rodrygo (LW)
- Raphinha (ST)
Japan Starting Lineup:
- Shuichi Gonda (GK)
- Hiroki Sakai (RB)
- Daiki Hashioka (CB)
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (CB)
- Yuto Nagatomo (LB)
- Wataru Endo (DM)
- Gaku Shibasaki (CM)
- Ritsu Doan (RW)
- Ao Tanaka (AM)
- Takumi Minamino (LW)
- Ayase Ueda (ST)
Stats:
- Possession: Brazil 58%, Japan 42%
- Shots: Brazil 20, Japan 10
- Shots on target: Brazil 8, Japan 4
- Corners: Brazil 7, Japan 3
- Yellow cards: Brazil 2, Japan 1
The win over Japan will give Brazil the confidence boost they need ahead of the World Cup. The team has looked solid in defense and potent in attack, and Ancelotti will be pleased with the progress they’ve made so far. Japan, on the other hand, will look to learn from this defeat and come back stronger in their next match.
As the World Cup approaches, all eyes will be on these two teams. Will Brazil continue their dominance, or will Japan pull off an upset? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, though – this match has set the stage for a thrilling encounter between two of the best teams in the world.
Post-Match Reaction:
“We’re very pleased with the win,” said Carlo Ancelotti in the post-match press conference. “The team showed a lot of spirit and quality. We’ve worked hard on our tactics and strategy, and it’s starting to pay off. We’ve got a lot of talented players, and I’m confident we’ll do well in the World Cup.”
“We’ll take this defeat as a learning experience,” said Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu. “We created some good chances, but we couldn’t capitalize on them. We’ll work on our finishing and come back stronger in our next match.”
The match may be over, but the excitement is just beginning. With the World Cup just around the corner, football fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see their favorite teams in action. Stay tuned for more updates, analysis, and insights from the world of football.