Japan Soccer Squad Makes History with 1st-Ever Victory Over Brazil

Remember the date: October 14, 2025. On this early autumn evening, a Tuesday, the Japan men's national soccer team erased a two-goal halftime deficit, scored three unanswered goals and defeated Brazil for the first time.

Before this night, Japan was winless in 13 matches against Brazil ― 11 defeats and two draws.

Japan's 3-2 triumph on Tuesday symbolizes the team's growing confidence, overall talent and the capable leadership of manager Hajime Moriyasu.

Even though world No 6 Brazil and 19th-ranked Japan had already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, national pride and bragging rights were on display at Tokyo's National Stadium.

After the break, goals from Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura and Ayase Ueda lifted the Samurai Blue past Brazil. Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made several big saves after Brazil had taken a 2-0 lead in the 32nd minute.

soccer — *Japan's Ayase Ueda scores on a header in the 71st minute against Brazil. (©SANKEI)*

Moriyasu, who has led the national team since 2018, was thrilled with the outcome.

"It's truly wonderful that the players and staff worked so hard to achieve this result, winning at home against Brazil and showing our growth," Moriyasu said, according to Sports Hochi. "The stadium, which would normally be yellow (for Brazil), turned blue for us. Supporters watching on TV sent us their thoughts, and our players really gave it their all."

Moriyasu is determined to push his squad to keep improving.

"We will continue to steadily build on our current strength, level by level," Moriyasu was quoted as saying by Sports Hochi. "Winning the World Cup won't be easy, and I expect Brazil will be an even tougher opponent when it really counts. We must be prepared for all that and grow step by step toward our goal."

Through the Years: Japan-Brazil Soccer Matches

The two national teams first met in July 1989, playing an international friendly in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil triumphed 1-0. Most recently, the five-time FIFA World Cup champion faced Japan in June 2022 in another exhibition match at Tokyo's National Stadium. The result: Brazil 1, Japan 0.

Since that first encounter in the late '80s, the Samurai Blue had twice been beaten 4-0 by the South American soccer powerhouse in exhibition games. Japan also lost 5-1 to Brazil in another friendly in 1995.

In addition, in the teams' only showdown in the world's biggest tournament, Brazil trounced Japan 4-1 at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Dortmund, Germany.

Heading into Tuesday night's match in the Japanese capital, Brazil was coming off a 5-0 rout of South Korea on October 10 in Seoul. On the same night, Japan played a friendly against Paraguay in Suita, Osaka Prefecture, earning a 2-2 draw. Feyenoord striker Ueda notched the match-tying goal in second-half stoppage time.

On Monday, Moriyasu insisted Japan could accomplish a previously unattainable thing and beat Brazil.

"We have the desire to get our first win against Brazil, and we also have the players to do that," Moriyasu was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

Brazil Strikes Twice in the Early Going

In the 26th minute, Paulo Henrique put Brazil ahead 1-0, capitalizing on his team's good ball movement to create a scoring chance.

Brazil doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute, with Gabriel Martinelli booting the ball from close range past Suzuki.

Legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has led some of the world's most prominent football clubs (AC Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea, among others), took over as Brazil's new boss in June. Righting the ship, he quickly guided the under-performing squad to the World Cup. Against Japan, Brazil's defense had periods of dominance, but it was not in lockdown mode from start to finish. That enabled the Samurai Blue to create some scoring chances in the first half.

In the second half, Japan's shot attempts and the quality of its offensive playmaking increased as the match marched on.

Japan finished with 15 shots to Brazil's eight.

A Thrilling Comeback Against Brazil

Minamino, making his 71st appearance for the Japan national team, capitalized on a golden opportunity in the 52nd minute, when Brazil's Fabricio Bruno failed to clear the ball in front of his own net.

Instead, Minamimo rifled a quick shot from inside the 18-yard box past Brazil goalkeeper Hugo Souza. It was Minamino's 25th goal for the Samurai Blue.

In the 62nd minute, Nakamura booted the ball, which Bruno deflected, in the direction of the Brazil net. For Japan, the fortunate bounce delivered the equalizer, and the lively crowd of nearly 45,000 grew even more animated.

Nine minutes later, Ueda scored on a superb header, with the ball ricocheting off Souza and into the net.

"I'm thrilled," Ueda said after Japan's historic win over Brazil, according to Sports Nippon. "We couldn't create chances in the first half, but [substitute Junya] Ito delivered a great cross."

Ueda added, "We started creating more opportunities, and I felt we could score. I'm especially happy, [and] I'm delighted to have scored a meaningful goal."

Suzuki stayed sharp in the waning moments to fend off Brazil's attempt to even the score.

Author: Ed Odeven

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