Vinícius Júnior scores twice as Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in Singapore

On Saturday, 14 November, Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly at Kallang in Singapore, Brazil's first defeat since the 2026 World Cup. The match was a revenge fixture for Brazil's World Cup round-of-16 tie, which Brazil had won only with difficulty. Japan went ahead early through Takefusa Kubo in the 15th minute and Keito Nakamura in the 19th, a double that left Brazil chasing the game from the opening 20 minutes. Brazil never led at any point, and N-tv said the team again failed to convince in its rebuilding phase. SAPO credited Nakano with the pass that set up Japan's second goal.

Vinícius Júnior's double

Vinícius Júnior pulled one back in the 33rd minute, with Bruno Guimarães credited with the assist. The Real Madrid forward equalised in the 75th minute, again set up by Bruno Guimarães. LaSexta described one of his strikes as a long-range shot that found the top corner beyond Japanese goalkeeper Suzuki, and framed it as a response to Brazil's weak opening minutes. N-tv reported that Vinícius had not scored for Real Madrid or the national team since late September, while Notícias ao Minuto dated his last Brazil goal to mid-September and noted he had only one club goal this season, scored in August. The sources therefore differ slightly on the timing of his previous goal.

Sakamoto's winner and the red cards

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto came on in the 72nd minute, according to SAPO, and scored in the 90+1 minute to make it 3-2 for Japan. Brazil had been level at 2-2 since the 75th minute. Brazil's earlier changes from the 58th minute included Marlon Gomes, Alisson, Jonathan Jesus and, in the 71st minute, Endrick. The stoppage-time goal was followed by red cards for coach Carlo Ancelotti and Raphinha, both shown their cards from the bench. N-tv noted that Raphinha had already been substituted before he was sent off, and described Ancelotti and Raphinha as furious at the decision.

Context and what comes next

Since the World Cup, Brazil had played Australia twice, with results of 1-1 and 4-2, and India, which they beat 4-0. The defeat ends that run of results, and SAPO called it the first Brazil defeat after the 2026 World Cup. The Brazilians remain on their Singapore tour, and they return to the pitch on Tuesday, 17 November, against Singapore. On the same day Japan face Paraguay.