Japan Beat Brazil 3-2 With a Late Goal

BRAZIL · FOOTBALL

Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in Singapore with a goal at the end of normal time, after Vinícius Júnior had scored twice to bring Brazil level.

Published Saturday, 14 November 2026, 7:20 a.m. ET · Source: match reports and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) fixture list

Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly at the National Stadium in Singapore on Saturday, 14 November, with a goal from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto at the end of normal time. Brazil had trailed 2-0 after 19 minutes and drew level through two goals by Vinícius Júnior, their best-known forward.

The game kicked off at 5:15 a.m. US Eastern Time (ET), which is 7:15 a.m. in Brasília and 6:15 p.m. in Singapore. It is one of Brazil’s last two matches of 2026 and of the first full year of coach Carlo Ancelotti, an Italian who took over in May 2025.

How the Match Went

Japan made the faster start: Takefusa Kubo scored in the 15th minute and Keito Nakamura added a second in the 19th. Brazil, who named goalkeeper Pedro Morisco, trailed 2-0 before the half-hour mark.

Vinícius pulled one back in the 33rd minute, and his equaliser in the 75th minute hit both posts before it went in. Sakamoto then scored the winner for Japan on a rebound after a Japanese counter-attack.

Why Japan Is a Test for Brazil

Japan beat Brazil for the first time in 14 meetings on 14 October 2025 in Tokyo, winning 3-2 after Brazil led 2-0. Brazil won the rematch on 29 June 2026 in the World Cup round of 32 in Houston, winning 2-1 on a stoppage-time goal by Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli.

Saturday’s result means Japan have won two of the three meetings in 13 months, and Brazil one.

Next: Singapore on Tuesday

Brazil face the host nation Singapore on Tuesday, 17 November, at 7:00 a.m. in Brasília, which is 5:00 a.m. ET, at the same National Stadium. It is the last match of Brazil’s 2026 calendar.

What It Means for You

For fans in the United States, both Brazil games start in the early morning Eastern: Saturday’s at 5:15 a.m. and Tuesday’s at 5:00 a.m. We could not confirm which US broadcaster or stream carries them. One Brazilian listing names the Globo network and its sports channel SporTV as the home broadcasters, but those are Brazilian channels.

Check your streaming service before you set an alarm.

What Is Not Known

Ancelotti’s reaction and the final match statistics were not available when we published. Match sheets list Ancelotti and the forward Raphinha as sent off after the winner, but we found no report of the reason.

Connected Coverage

Read the Brazil news hub and our Latin America Sports Daily for 14 November. See also the Brasileirão title race in Brazil’s top league and the Copa do Brasil cup final guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score between Japan and Brazil?

Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in Singapore on Saturday, 14 November 2026. Vinícius Júnior scored both Brazilian goals, and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored Japan’s winner late on.

What time did Brazil v Japan kick off in the US?

The friendly kicked off at 5:15 a.m. US Eastern Time on Saturday, 14 November. That is 7:15 a.m. in Brasília and 6:15 p.m. in Singapore.

When does Brazil play Singapore?

Brazil play Singapore on Tuesday, 17 November 2026, at 5:00 a.m. US Eastern Time, which is 7:00 a.m. in Brasília. The match is at the National Stadium in Singapore.

Where can I watch Brazil in the United States?

We could not confirm a US broadcaster or stream for the two friendlies. One Brazilian listing names Globo and SporTV, which are Brazilian channels.

Sources: Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) fixture list for the November 2026 FIFA window; live match reports from the National Stadium, Singapore, 14 November 2026. Brasília is two hours ahead of US Eastern and Singapore is 13 hours ahead.