The Brazil national team lost 3-2 to Japan in a friendly match played on Saturday. Vinícius Júnior scored twice, but a stoppage-time goal from Sakamoto handed victory to the hosts.
Japan started strongly and opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Ritsu Doan set up Takefusa Kubo, who made no mistake. Four minutes later, Keito Nakamura doubled the lead after a pass from Shuto Nakano. In the 33rd minute, Brazil pulled one back. Bruno Guimarães found Vinícius Júnior, who finished with class for 2-1.
Dorival Júnior's side pressed for an equaliser in the second half and found it in the 75th minute. Again, Bruno Guimarães was the provider and Vinícius Júnior the finisher, levelling the match. Brazil, who had 58% possession and 17 shots, seemed to be heading for a draw. However, in added time, Sakamoto pounced on a loose ball in the box to settle the match.
In the 87th minute, the game flared up with three yellow cards shown in quick succession to Suzuki, Vinícius Júnior and Endrick. In the dying moments, Raphinha was shown a straight red card, complicating the end of the match for the Brazilians. Brazil came into this match off the back of a 4-0 thrashing of India at the start of October, but saw their defence weakened by the absence of starters Marquinhos and Éder Militão, both out injured. With this performance, Vinícius Júnior stays as the team's top scorer this season, with 4 goals in 5 appearances.
This defeat ends a positive run, leaving Brazil with a recent form of one win and one loss from their last two matches. Brazil's next fixture is on Tuesday against Singapore, in another friendly scheduled for 07:00 local time. Forward Vinícius Júnior, who now has four goals in five appearances this season, will be a key figure in the attempt to bounce back from this defeat.
