Japan Stuns Brazil 3-2 in Friendly as Ancelotti and Raphinha See Red

Japan produced one of the most memorable results in its football history on Saturday, beating five-time World Cup winners Brazil 3-2 in a dramatic international friendly played in Tokyo. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s stoppage-time winner at 90’+1 completed a remarkable comeback after Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti and forward Raphinha were both sent off in the chaotic closing stages.

A chaotic finale in Tokyo

The match swung wildly in the final minutes as tempers flared at the Tokyo stadium. Brazil, who had looked comfortable for much of the game, saw their discipline unravel just as Japan mounted a late surge. Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazilian national team coach, was sent to the stands by the referee in the dying minutes, while star forward Raphinha followed him with a straight red card. With Brazil reduced and rattled, Japan pressed home their advantage.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto struck the decisive blow deep into stoppage time, finding the net at 90’+1 to seal a 3-2 victory that sent the home crowd into raptures. The goal capped a remarkable turnaround for Japan, who had trailed Brazil during the contest before fighting back to claim one of their most famous wins over a senior Brazil side.

Japan’s famous victory

For Japan, the win represents a landmark result in the November international window. Beating Brazil — a nation synonymous with football excellence and five World Cup triumphs — on their own soil in a friendly carried added significance. The Japanese side showed resilience and composure under pressure, particularly after going behind, and Sakamoto’s late winner will be remembered as one of the defining moments of Japanese football in 2026.

The result also served as a statement ahead of future international competitions, demonstrating that Japan can compete with and defeat the traditional powerhouses of the sport. Players and staff celebrated wildly at the final whistle, aware they had just produced a result that would reverberate far beyond a single friendly encounter.

Brazil’s night to forget

For Brazil and Carlo Ancelotti, the evening ended in frustration and disbelief. Taking his side to Japan for what was supposed to be a straightforward friendly, Ancelotti instead found himself ejected from the technical area as the match descended into chaos. Raphinha’s dismissal left Brazil a man down at the worst possible moment, just as Japan were pushing for a winner.

The red cards overshadowed what had been an entertaining contest up to that point. Brazil had entered the match as heavy favorites and dominated large periods, but the loss of composure in the final stages proved costly. Ancelotti will face questions about his team’s discipline, while the Brazilian Football Confederation may review the incidents that led to both dismissals.

The defeat leaves Brazil with work to do as they regroup after an international window that ended on a sour note in Tokyo. For Japan, meanwhile, the 3-2 victory stands as a night to savor — a famous win over one of the game’s greatest teams, sealed in the most dramatic fashion possible.

Sources: BBC Sport live coverage of Japan vs Brazil (November 14, 2026); ESPN international friendlies scoreboard (November 14, 2026).