Japan v Brazil LIVE: Arsenal duo set to start in World Cup knock-out rematch in Singapore

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Brazil face Japan in a friendly as Carlo Ancelotti bids for momentum after a disappointing World Cup 2026. The Selecao broke the hearts of the Samurai Blue and their followers in Houston this summer, dumping out Hajime Moriyasu’s side 2-1 at the last-32 stage.

The result, inspired by Gabriel Martinelli’s late goal, dashed Japan’s hopes after a promising tournament, though Ancelotti’s side fell at the next stage at the hands of Norway and an inspired Erling Haaland, leaving a nation searching for answers.

Now, Ancelotti must quickly build momentum to bring the Brazilian public back onside, having won against India and secured a win and a draw against Australia in the last international break. Arsenal’s Bruno Guimaraes and Gabriel Magalhaes should be involved, while Barcelona’s Raphinha could shake off a knock to join Vinicius Jr in attack.

Meanwhile, this international break is expected to see the end of an era with Moriyasu poised to step down following the game next week against Paraguay.

Follow all the build-up and action to this friendly below:

72 mins: Alisson Santana has been bright since coming on. He shapes to cut inside onto his left foot and get into the box but Hiroki Ito reads the danger well and wins his challenge.

69 mins: Ancelotti sends on Endrick and withdraws Raphinha.

68 mins: Dangerous from Vinicius! He whips in a dangerous cross from the left with the outside of his right foot but there’s no one in the middle to meet it. Alisson then shows quick feet to burst down the right, but Japan recover well to only concede the corner. From Raphinha’s cross, Gabriel’s flicked header fails to find the target.

64 mins: Ancelotti has kept both Vinicius and Raphinha, despite his reported injury concern pre-match, on the pitch as Brazil look to salvage something from this. They have lacked threat and intent since the restart, however.

56 mins: A triple change for Brazil: Estevao, Andre and Jair Cunha are off, Alisson Santana, Marlon Gomes and Jonathan Jesus are on.

52 mins: More pressure from Brazil. Raphinha is involved again as the ball is fed wide to Wesley, whose low cross is blocked.

48 mins: SAVE! Lovely Brazil move! Andre feeds a clever pass through to Raphinha, who swivels to shoot with his left foot. Suzuki parries away.

Carlo Ancelotti had some angry words for the referee at the half-time whistle but his Brazil team were all over the place at times as Japan took a two-goal lead. They were much better after Vinicius Jr pulled one back.

What Brazil will we see in the second half? Back underway with no changes made.

Well, for a friendly, that’s been an exciting half of football in Singapore. Japan made a brilliant start and stunned Brazil by scoring twice in 20 minutes. Brazil’s defence disappeared in a disastrous five-minute spell and Japan took full advantage with goals from Kubo and Nakamura, with Maeda going close as well. But Brazil responded well. Vinicius Jr unleashed a rocket of a shot into the top corner and it was all Brazil until the half-time whistle.

It’s set up well for the second half, that’s for sure.

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