Japan defeated Brazil 3-2 in an international friendly in Singapore on Saturday, with Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti and captain Raphinha sent off following a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
Coventry City winger, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto scored the decisive goal in the 91st minute to hand Japan victory after an entertaining encounter at the National Stadium.
Brazil had appealed for a foul in the build-up to the goal, arguing that Aston Villa midfielder Joao Gomes was dispossessed illegally.
The protests escalated, resulting in the dismissals of Ancelotti and Raphinha.
Japan made a blistering start, taking a two-goal lead within the opening 19 minutes through Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura.
Kubo opened the scoring in the 15th minute after being set up by Ritsu Doan, before Nakamura doubled the advantage four minutes later with an assist from Shota Nakano.
Real Madrid forward, Vinicius Junior revived Brazil’s hopes with a goal in the 33rd minute, finishing a move assisted by Bruno Guimaraes.
The winger later completed his brace in the 75th minute with a superb curling effort to bring the South Americans level at 2-2.
Brazil’s frustration had begun earlier in the match after appeals for a penalty following a foul on Raphinha were rejected.
The Barcelona winger reacted angrily to the decision before being substituted and later dismissed for his protests towards the fourth official.
Ancelotti also criticised the officiating after the match, saying the referee had shown him a red card because he could not control the Brazilian bench.
“The result, obviously, was influenced by the referee’s performance,” the Italian said, while adding that the official lacked the experience to manage a match of such intensity.
The defeat marked Japan’s second 3-2 friendly victory over Brazil in the past 18 months.
However, Brazil had beaten the Asian side 2-1 in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
