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Brazil are continuing where they left off against South Korea last week and have controlled the first half of today’s friendly with Japan in Tokyo.
Two excellent finishes from Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli have put Carlo Ancelotti’s team 2-0 up at the interval. Ayase Ueda had a glorious chance to open the scoring shortly before Japan fell behind, but they have otherwise been comfortably second best here.
The Selecao were in fine form against last time out, easing to a 5-0 victory in Seoul in which Estevao and Rodrygo each scored twice before a Vinicius Junior goal. Japan represent another heavyweight opponent from the Asian confederation, but they have yet to cause Brazil any significant trouble.
The Samurai Blue have not enjoyed the best of form lately. They drew 0-0 with Mexico and lost 2-0 to the United States in September, and only an injury-time goal from Ueda spared them a 2-1 home defeat to Paraguay last week.
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Japan vs. Brazil live score
| Halftime | Goal scorers | |
| Japan | 0 | |
| Brazil | 2 | Paulo Henrique 22′, Martinelli 32′ |
Starting lineups:
Japan (3-4-2-1, right to left): 1. Zion Suzuki (GK) — 3. Shogo Taniguchi, 4. Tsuyoshi Watanabe, 25. Junnosuke Suzuki — 20. Takefusa Kubo, 21. Kaishu Sano, 15. Daichi Kamada, 13. Keito Nakamura — 10. Ritsu Doan, 8. Takumi Minamino — 18. Ayase Ueda
Brazil (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. Hugo Souza (GK) — 13. Paulo Henrique, 14. Fabricio Bruno 15. Lucas Beraldo, 24. Carlos Augusto — 8. Bruno Guimaraes, 5. Casemiro — 19. Luiz Henrique, 11. Lucas Paqueta, 7. Vinicius Junior — 22. Gabriel Martinelli
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Japan vs. Brazil highlights, key events
*Official highlights will be added once they become available.
32 mins: GOAL! Brazil have their second! Lucas Paqueta plays a delightful scooped pass over the defence to Gabriel Martinelli, who timed his run well. The Arsenal forward lets the ball bounce before firing low past Suzuki with his left foot. A lovely move from the Selecao, but appallingly static defending from the hosts. Hajime Moriyasu looks particularly stern on the touchline.
22 mins: GOAL! Brazil are in front! Moments after Japan came within inches of scoring, Bruno Guimaraes threads a pass into the path of Paulo Henrique, who bends a finish with the outside of his right foot beyond the reach of Zion Suzuki.
Japan vs. Brazil lineups, team news
Hajime Moriyasu sticks with his 3-4-2-1 formation against Brazil and is trusting the core of players who have guided the team through an unbeaten home run of fourteen matches.
Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki continues between the posts, while Shogo Taniguchi comes in to join Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Junnosuke Suzuki in the back three.
Takefusa Kubo lines up on the right of midfield, with Keito Nakamura on the left. Kaishu Sano and Daichi Kamada are expected to control the central areas with quick distribution and pressing energy.
Takumi Minamino and Ritsu Doan will act as creative link players supporting striker Ayase Ueda.
Liverpool’s Wataru Endo, Celtic’s Daizen Maeda, and Ajax defender Ko Itakura were initially in the squad, but all three withdrew due to injury. Daiki Hashioka was added as a replacement.
Japan starting lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left): Suzuki (GK) — Taniguchi, Watanabe, J. Suzuki — Kubo, Kamada, Sano, Nakamura — Doan, Minamino — Ueda
Japan subs: Hashioka, Nagatamo, Fujita, Soma, Machino, Osako, Ito, Ando, Tanaka, Ogawa, Seko, Hayakawa, Saito, Mochizuki
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Globo had predicted the lineup could be the same as the South Korea game except for the goalkeeper, with Hugo Souza of Corinthians given a chance as Ancelotti reportedly wants a penalty specialist in his roster for next summer.
While that change in goal was correct, Ancelotti also made eight alterations to his outfield starting lineup. A complete overhaul of the back four sees Paulo Henrique, Fabricio Bruno, Lucas Beraldo and Carlos Augusto come in, with the screen of Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes retained.
In attack, Vinicius Junior keeps his place, but Luiz Henrique and Lucas Paqueta come in for Estevao and Rodrygo. There’s also a start at centre-forward for Gabriel Martinelli, who replaces Matheus Cunha.
Brazil starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): Hugo Souza (GK) — Paulo Henrique, Bruno, Beraldo, Carlos Augusto — Guimaraes, Casemiro — Luiz Henrique, Paqueta, Vinicius — Martinelli
Brazil subs: John Victor, Ederson, Vanderson, Caio Henrique, Vitinho, Gabriel, Militao, Douglas Santos, Rodrygo, Estevao, Cunha, Andre, Joao Gomes, Joelinton, Richarlison, Igor Thiago
Japan vs. Brazil stats, head to head
In 13 previous meetings stretching back to 1989, Brazil have never lost to Japan.
That said, their last meeting was a close affair, with a Neymar penalty the difference between the sides in Tokyo in June 2022.
| Japan wins | Draws | Brazil wins |
| 0 | 2 | 11 |
| Biggest win: N/A |
Biggest win: 5-1 (August 1995) |
Japan vs. Brazil live stream, TV channel
This match is not available to watch on TV, but bet365 are providing a live stream.
