Japan stuns Brazil and Ancelotti with a historic victory

The Japanese national team stunned its Brazilian guest and achieved its first historic victory over them, 3-2, today, Tuesday, in a friendly match in Tokyo.
Brazil seemed on its way to an expected victory after ending the first half leading with two clean goals scored by Paulo Henrique (26) and Gabriel Martinelli (32).
But star Takumi Minamino led the comeback with the goal of reducing the gap (52), before Keito Nakamura equalized (62) and Ayase Ueda scored the victory (71).
This is Japan’s first victory over Brazil in 14 meetings between the two teams. It is also the second loss for Brazil since the Italian Ancelotti took the helm in May, after its previous loss to Bolivia 0-1 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Brazilian and Japanese teams have previously secured qualification to the next World Cup finals, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Ancelotti made adjustments to his squad, which crushed South Korea 5-0 in a friendly match, as he kept the previous top scorers, Estevao and Rodrigo, on the bench alongside Matheus Cunha, and included Martinelli and Henrique alongside Vinicius Junior, the Spanish Real Madrid star, in the attack.
Japan, for its part, was missing a number of its key injured players, including winger Kaoru Mitoma, the English player for Brighton, and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo.
Brazil opened the scoring after a series of passes that reached Henrique, who shot a creeping ball into the goal (26). Martinelli added the second, taking advantage of a cross from Lucas Paqueta (32).
But Minamino reduced the gap after a fatal error by defender Fabricio Bruno (52nd), who scored and diverted Keito Nakamura’s shot towards the goal (62nd).
In the 71st minute, Ueda scored the winning goal with a header following a corner kick taken by substitute Junya Eto’o (71).