Round of 32Full time
Final · Jun 29
Goals
4 goals — watch every replay below
- 29'Kaishu SanoGoal of the match▲ 13k
- 56'Casemiro▲ 2.3k
- 90+5'Gabriel Martinelli▲ 10.5k
The market saw itImplied · model line
The stakes
Round of 32, full time: Brazil 2-1 Japan. Single elimination — one side's run ends here.
- storylineBrazil's identity crisis under AncelottiWobbly opener: drew Morocco 1-1 (June 13), Vinícius dragging them level. Now SITTING BELOW SCOTLAND in Group C. Described as a 'wake-up call'; Ancelotti needs more from the midfield.
- storylineJapan's giant-killers strike againDid it again: twice came from behind to draw the fancied Netherlands 2-2 (June 14), Kamada's 89th-minute header completing the comeback. A statement point — though it left them 2nd in Group F behind a rampant Sweden (5-1 winners).
The two sides
BrazilFive-time champs, ending a 24-year drought
The most glamorous attack on Earth — Vini, Raphinha, Endrick — playing all-out under Ancelotti, chasing a sixth star. When it clicks, nothing on the planet looks better.
JapanFamous for upsetting the big boys
The serial giant-killers who beat Germany AND Spain last time, out-organizing and out-working everyone, clawing a draw from the Dutch with a last-gasp goal. Adopt them to look smart.
Who plays where
Brazil
- Real Madrid ×2Vinicius Junior, Endrick
- ArsenalGabriel Magalhães
- BarcelonaRaphinha
- LiverpoolAlisson
- Manchester UnitedCasemiro
- NewcastleBruno Guimarães
Japan
- BrightonKaoru Mitoma
- Crystal PalaceDaichi Kamada
- Eintracht FrankfurtRitsu Doan
- FC TokyoYuto Nagatomo
- Real SociedadTakefusa Kubo
- ReimsKeito Nakamura