Substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored a stoppage-time winner as Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in a thrilling friendly in Singapore on Saturday, a result that saw Brazil forward Raphinha and manager Carlo Ancelotti both shown red cards for protesting the referee's decision.
Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura put Japan 2-0 up within 19 minutes, but a brace from Vinicius Jr brought Brazil level. Sakamoto then fired home from Kodai Sano's deflected effort in added time. Brazil appealed for a foul in the build-up, but after a VAR check the goal stood.
The victory carried added significance for Japan, who suffered a heartbreaking World Cup exit to Brazil in June when Gabriel Martinelli struck in stoppage time for a 2-1 comeback win.
Ancelotti said at a news conference: "The referee gave me a red card because he said I wasn’t able to control the bench and that all the players were on the field." He added: "The result, obviously, was influenced by the referee’s performance, … but it’s not his fault. It was a high-level match, and I don’t think he had the experience to handle this kind of game."
Raphinha apologised for his behaviour but criticised the officiating. “Sometimes it’s hard to keep calm, especially after what I felt were so many refereeing errors during the match,” he said. He listed several disputed decisions, including a first-half penalty claim and his view that there was a foul on Joao Gomes before Japan's third goal.
Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu, who is expected to step down after a friendly against Paraguay on Tuesday, said: "I’m happy that I can say that today’s match was the best match in my eight-year tenure. Our players performed at the world’s top standard. These wins lead to victories at the World Cup, and I hope they continue to do the same." He added that he is focused on handing over to successor Go Oiwa.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Japan's victory highlights their growing competitiveness against elite teams, avenging a World Cup defeat.
- The red cards and referee controversy raise questions about officiating standards in high-profile friendlies.
- Moriyasu's impending departure after eight years marks a transition for Japanese football.
Background
Japan entered the match still stung by their World Cup elimination to Brazil in June. Hajime Moriyasu, Japan's head coach for eight years, is set to step down after a friendly against Paraguay on Tuesday. Brazil, a five-time World Cup winner, fielded star players including Vinicius Jr and Raphinha.
Key Perspectives
Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil manager): Said the referee lacked experience to handle such a high-level match and that his own red card was for not controlling the bench.
Raphinha (Brazil captain): Apologised for his behaviour but said there were "so many refereeing errors" and that the referee was not open to discussion.
Hajime Moriyasu (Japan head coach): Called the match the best in his eight-year tenure, saying his players performed at the world's top standard.
What to Watch
- Moriyasu's final match as Japan coach against Paraguay on Tuesday.
- Potential FIFA review of the red cards and any disciplinary action.
- Brazil's response in their next fixture and any fallout from Ancelotti and Raphinha's ejections.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedJapan beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly in Singapore on Saturday.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto netted his first international goal with a late winner on Saturday as Japan edged Brazil 3-2 at the National Stadium.”
- SupportedTatsuhiro Sakamoto scored Japan’s stoppage-time winner.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “But Sakamoto was in the right place to fire home after latching on to Kodai Sano’s deflected effort in stoppage time to give the Asian side a dramatic victory”
- SupportedRaphinha and Carlo Ancelotti were sent off for protesting a referee’s decision.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Brazil forward Raphinha and manager Carlo Ancelotti were shown red cards for protesting against a referee’s decision”
- SupportedThe referee was Jansen Foo.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “as he tried to approach referee Jansen Foo”
- SupportedTakefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura put Japan 2-0 up in the opening 19 minutes.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “A brilliant brace by Vinicius Jr had erased a two-goal deficit after strikes by Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura put the Samurai Blue 2-0 up in the opening 19 minutes.”
- SupportedVinicius Jr scored twice to bring Brazil level.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “A brilliant brace by Vinicius Jr had erased a two-goal deficit”
- SupportedSakamoto scored after Kodai Sano’s deflected effort, and VAR upheld the goal after Brazil appealed for a foul.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Sakamoto was in the right place to fire home after latching on to Kodai Sano’s deflected effort in stoppage time”
- SupportedJapan had lost to Brazil 2-1 in the World Cup last 32 in June, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring in stoppage time for a comeback win.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “On that occasion, Gabriel Martinelli struck in stoppage time to complete a 2-1 comeback win for the South Americans.”
- SupportedAncelotti said the referee told him he could not control the bench and that all the players were on the field.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““The referee gave me a red card because he said I wasn’t able to control the bench and that all the players were on the field,” Ancelotti said at a news conference.”
- SupportedAncelotti said the result was influenced by the referee’s performance, but that it was not the referee’s fault, and questioned his experience handling the match.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““The result, obviously, was influenced by the referee’s performance, … but it’s not his fault. It was a high-level match, and I don’t think he had the experience to handle this kind of game.””
- SupportedRaphinha apologised for his behaviour and said it was hard to keep calm after what he felt were many refereeing errors.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““First of all, I’d like to take this opportunity to apologise for my behaviour and for being sent off,” Raphinha said. “Sometimes it’s hard to keep calm, especially after what I felt were so many refereeing errors during the match.”
- Partly supportedMoriyasu’s quoted remarks say the match was the best of his eight-year tenure and that Japan’s players performed at the world’s top standard.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: ““I’m happy that I can say that today’s match was the best match in my eight-year tenure,” Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu said after the game. “Brazil’s intensity went up once we took the lead, and it was all about what we could do then. “Our players performed at the world’s top standard. These wins lead to victories at the World Cup, and I hope they continue to do the same,” Moriyasu added.”