Japan secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Brazil in an international friendly at Singapore’s National Stadium on Saturday, with substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scoring a stoppage-time winner.
Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior had scored twice to bring his side back from a two-goal deficit after Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura gave Japan an early advantage.
However, Sakamoto capitalised on a deflected effort from Kodai Sano in stoppage time to fire home his first international goal and hand the Samurai Blue victory in front of 38,688 spectators.
Japan strike twice in opening 19 minutes
Japan made a blistering start, scoring twice in a four-minute spell.
Kubo opened the scoring in the 15th minute after collecting a through ball from Ritsu Doan just inside Brazil’s half. He showed excellent footwork to cut inside Jair before sending a low shot past goalkeeper Pedro Morisco.
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Four minutes later, Shuto Nakano advanced down the right flank and delivered a cross for Nakamura, who found the bottom corner with a composed right-footed finish.
Vinicius brings Brazil back into the contest
Brazil reduced the deficit in the 33rd minute through a superb finish from Vinicius.
Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki had earlier denied Estevao, but he could not prevent Vinicius from finding the top corner with a powerful diagonal strike after the ball fell to the Brazilian forward.
Suzuki produced further important saves to deny Brazilian debutant Andre before half-time and captain Raphinha after the break.
Brazil eventually levelled the score in the 75th minute when Vinicius cut inside from the left and fired a low shot that went into the net off the right post.
Sakamoto delivers stoppage-time winner
Brazil came close to taking the lead, with substitute Endrick hitting the crossbar and Joao Gomes sending a low effort narrowly wide.
Japan, however, had the final say. In stoppage time, Sano’s effort took a deflection off a defender and fell into Sakamoto’s path. The substitute made no mistake, sending the ball past Morisco to secure a memorable victory.
Brazil appealed for a foul during the build-up, but VAR upheld the goal. Raphinha was subsequently shown a red card for his protests.
The result gave Japan a notable win over Brazil in their first meeting since the Brazilian side defeated them 2-1 in the round of 32 at the World Cup last June.
