Japan 3-2 Brazil: Ueda the hero again in dramatic second-half comeback

Ayase Ueda capped a remarkable turnaround for Japan as his 71st-minute header sealed a sensational 3-2 victory over Brazil in an international friendly on Tuesday.

Following his late heroics against Paraguay in their last match, Ueda provided the pivotal moment yet again for Japan as they stunned Carlo Ancelotti’s side at Ajinomoto Stadium.

Japan came close to taking the lead in the 21st minute when Takumi Minamino’s cross across goal was somehow glanced wide by Ueda following good work from Ritsu Doan.

And the visitors were made to pay for that missed opportunity four minutes later when Paulo Henrique rounded off a free-flowing team move with a fine finish into the bottom-left corner.

Gabriel Martinelli then doubled Brazil’s lead after striking the ball on the half volley beyond Zion Suzuki following Lucas Paqueta’s inch-perfect clip over the top in the 32nd minute.

But Takumi Minamino reduced the deficit seven minutes after the restart, with the former Liverpool forward ruthlessly punishing a calamitous error from Fabricio Bruno.

Bruno’s second half went from bad to worse in the 62nd minute when he turned Keito Nakamura’s scuffed volley into the roof of his own net to help Japan restore parity.

Four minutes later, Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha had the ball in the back of the net after getting on the end of substitute Rodrygo’s cross, only for it to be ruled offside.

However, Japan’s resurgence continued, and it was soon rewarded when an in-swinging Junya Ito corner was met by the head of Ueda to conclude a breathtaking comeback, and seal his nation’s first ever win over Brazil.

試合終了

キリンチャレンジカップ2025
SAMURAI BLUE 3-2 ブラジ

19:30
テレビ朝日系列にて全国生中継
ABEMAにて生配信#最高の景色を #SAMURAIBLUE#jfa #daihyo #サッカー日本代表 pic.twitter.com/VWEtjpBlqU

— サッカー日本代表 (@jfa_samuraiblue) October 14, 2025

Data Debrief: Japan break Brazil hoodoo

Japan registered their first ever victory against Brazil, having failed to beat the Selecao in nine previous encounters before Tuesday’s game, losing seven and drawing two.

Ito inspired his side to this historic win, with the second-half substitute registering two assists in the space of nine minutes of each other. The forward’s impact ensured that he ranked the highest for chances created (five) of any other player on the pitch.

Japan’s comeback also ensured that they extended their unbeaten run at home to 21 games, last losing to Colombia in a 2-1 defeat in March 2023.

Brazil lacked creativity, and were well-contained by their hosts, who reduced them to just eight shots (four on target) and an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.61 compared to Japan’s 15 shots (six on target), and 2.49 xG.