Japan score in injury time to defeat Brazil 3-2

Substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto on Saturday netted his first international goal with a late winner as Japan edged Brazil 3-2 in a thrilling friendly at the National Stadium in Singapore.

A brilliant brace by Vinicius Junior had erased a two-goal deficit after strikes by Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura put the Samurai Blue 2-0 up in the opening 19 minutes.

However, Sakamoto was in the right place to fire home after latching on to Kodai Sano’s deflected effort in stoppage time to give the Asian side a dramatic victory in front of 38,688 fans.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, center, argues with referee Jansen Foo, front, during their international friendly against Japan in Singapore on Saturday.

Photo: EPA

In the first meeting between the teams since Brazil’s 2-1 win in the round-of-32 at the FIFA World Cup in June, the Samurai Blue seized the early initiative with two goals in a torrid four-minute spell.

On 15 minutes, a through ball by Ritsu Doan was picked up just inside the Brazilian half by Kubo who showed quick feet to cut inside Jair before firing a low effort past goalkeeper Pedro Morisco.

Japan added another shortly afterward after some fine work by Shuto Nakano, who broke down the right flank and centered for an unmarked Nakamura to calmly place a right-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Brazil responded with a magnificent goal by Vinicius in the 33rd minute.

Zion Suzuki had made an excellent stop to deny Estevao when he bore down on goal, but the Japan goalkeeper could do little when the ball fell to Vinicius who found the top corner with a right-footed diagonal drive.

Suzuki made good stops to deny Brazilian debutant Andre just before halftime and skipper Raphinha after the interval as Japan clung to their narrow lead.

However, Brazil were not to be denied, and Vinicius put them back on level terms in the 75th minute with another fine finish as he cut in from the left flank and launched a low right-footed effort that found the net off the right post.

Brazil went close to grabbing the winner as substitute Endrick rocked the crossbar with a fierce effort and Joao Gomes sent a low shot narrowly wide.

However, in stoppage time, an effort by Kodai Sano took a fortunate bounce off a defender and fell nicely for Sakamoto to send the ball past Pedro Morisco.

Brazil appealed for a foul in the build-up to the goal, but video assistant referee upheld the goal, and Raphinha and manager Carlo Ancelotti were shown red card for their protests.