Korean soccer lost 2-3 to Saudi Arabia... Japan beat Brazil 3-2

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Oh Myeong-eon = The Japanese national soccer team, which was blocked from advancing to the round of 16 by Brazil in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, avenged itself with a dramatic victory in the return match played after five months.

Japan, ranked 17th in the FIFA rankings, defeated Brazil, ranked 6th, 3-2 in the international soccer tournament 'Mizuho Blue Challenge The Calang Football Series Singapore' held at the Singapore National Stadium on the 14th.

It was a sharp contrast to the bitter performance of the Korean national team (32nd), who was defeated 2-3 by 55th-ranked Saudi Arabia in the early morning.

With this, Japan achieved its second win against Brazil (2 draws, 12 losses).

It was Japan that took control. Japan took the lead 15 minutes into the first half with Takefusa Kubo's first goal.

In a counterattack situation, Kubo received a pass from near the halfway line and rushed past defender Jair Cunha inside the penalty area before hitting the right corner of the goal with a sharp left-footed shot.

An additional goal was scored four minutes later. Shuto Nakano, who broke through the right side, gave up a cutback near the goal line, and Keito Nakamura, who was in the penalty area, finished with a shot after a simple touch to make it 2-0.

Brazil, which was being dragged, started to chase with its star striker Vinicius Junior at the forefront.

In the 33rd minute of the first half, Esteban's shot was blocked by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, and Bruno Guimaraes caught the ball and passed it to Vinicius. Vinicius, who received the pass, scored a powerful mid-range shot from near the penalty arc without goalkeeper Suzuki having time to do anything, making up for one goal.

In the 45th minute of the first half, Andre overcame a struggle with Tanaka and fired a mid-range shot, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Suzuki.

However, Brazil's Vinicius scored once again in the 30th minute of the second half, bringing the game back to square one.

Vinicius, who caught the ball briefly given away by Guimaraes during a left corner kick, escaped the defender and scored the equalizer with a fantastic shot that hit the right post and rolled in.

The game, which seemed like it would end in a draw, fluctuated once more in extra time in the second half.

In the 1st minute of added time in the second half, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored the winning goal with a right-footed shot into the upper left corner of the goal from close range.

Brazil, which lost the draw it had hoped for, ended the game on a bitter note as coach Carlo Ancelotti and Rafinha protested strongly against the decision immediately after conceding a goal, and were both sent off with red cards.

Japan faced Brazil in the round of 32 of the North and Central America World Cup last June and lost 1-2 despite scoring the first goal.

Previously, in a friendly match held in Tokyo, Japan in October last year, they won 3-2, earning their first win in 14 games against Brazil.

Japan, Brazil, Paraguay, and Singapore participate in this competition. Japan will play its next game against Paraguay three days later, on the 17th.