Japan fought back from two goals down to claim a first-ever victory over Brazil on Tuesday, Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura, and Ayase Ueda all finding the net in the space of 19 second-half minutes to seal a famous 3-2 victory in the KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2025.
Both teams had chances in the early exchanges, but Gabriel Martinelli sent an effort just wide for Brazil in the 10th minute and former Kashima Antlers striker Ueda couldn’t quite connect at the back post for Japan 12 minutes later.
Brazil then took the lead in the 26th minute, after Bruno Guimaraes played a killer ball in behind and Paulo Henrique swept into the far corner of the net with the outside of his right boot.
The visitors doubled their lead six minutes later, as Lucas Paqueta scooped a delicious pass behind the Japan defence and Gabriel Martinelli beat the offside trap before guiding home with his left foot.
Japan came out fighting in the second half though, and almost pulled a goal back five minutes after the restart when ex-Cerezo Osaka forward Minamino and Daichi Kamada, previously of Sagan Tosu, both saw shots blocked.
Minamino did then find the net to spark the Samurai Blue’s comeback into life in the 52nd minute, converting ruthlessly from inside the area after Japan’s aggressive pressing from the front caused Fabricio Bruno to give away possession.
The hosts were celebrating again 10 minutes later, as former Kashiwa Reysol winger Junya Ito crossed to the back post and ex-Gamba Osaka forward Nakamura volleyed in via a deflection off the unfortunate Fabricio Bruno to make it 2-2.
Substitute Matheus Cunha thought he had re-established Brazil’s lead in the 67th minute, but his strike was ruled out for an offside in the build-up, and three minutes later Ueda saw a header from an Ito cross deflected against the crossbar and behind for a corner.
Ueda then sent the 44,920 fans packed into Tokyo Stadium wild from the resultant set-piece in the 71st minute, soaring in the centre of the six-yard box to power a bullet header goalwards that Brazil goalkeeper Hugo Souza got a touch to but couldn’t keep out.
Things almost got even better for Hajime Moriyasu’s men with three minutes remaining, but FC Machida Zelvia’s Henry Heroki Mochizuki saw his initial low drive blocked before former Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Ao Tanaka’s follow-up was turned behind by Hugo Souza.
Brazil threw numbers forward as they looked to come up with an equaliser in injury time, but Richarlison couldn’t quite climb high enough to convert a header and then a late Joelinton shot from distance was easy enough for ex-Urawa Reds goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to deal with, leaving Japan to celebrate a historic triumph.
