Sakamoto's late goal gives Japan 3-2 win over Brazil as Ancelotti and Raphinha are sent off
Coventry's Tatsuhiro Sakamoto struck in the 91st minute in Singapore, and Brazil's manager and captain were dismissed in the protests that followed.
Japan beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly in Singapore on Saturday when Tatsuhiro Sakamoto bundled in a stoppage-time winner, after which Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti and captain Raphinha were both sent off for their protests.
A comeback undone
Brazil fell 2-0 behind inside the first 19 minutes to goals from Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura. Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr led the fightback, scoring in each half, including a curling equaliser.
Sakamoto, a Coventry City winger, then scored in the 91st minute, and the goal stood after a VAR review. Brazil had appealed for a foul in the build-up, when Aston Villa midfielder João Gomes was dispossessed.
Sent off after the goal
Ancelotti and Raphinha were dismissed on the touchline in the aftermath of the goal. Raphinha had already been substituted, replaced by Real Madrid's Endrick in the 71st minute, and he remonstrated with the fourth official as he left the field.
Both had earlier reacted angrily when appeals for a first-half penalty for a foul on Raphinha, the Barcelona forward, were turned down. After the final whistle, security staff stepped in to separate Brazil players from officials, including Singaporean referee Jansen Foo.
Raphinha apologises but criticises referee
Raphinha apologised for his behaviour but also criticised the officiating. Speaking to the media after the match, as reported by Barca Blaugranes citing Globo, he said: “Sometimes it’s difficult to control myself.”
He added: “It’s unacceptable.” He said Japan's first goal involved a handball and that he felt the first-half incident was a penalty, before adding: “We can’t let the refereeing today go unpunished.”
What it means for Brazil
It was Brazil's second 3-2 defeat by Japan in the past 18 months, following an identical scoreline in a friendly last year. Ancelotti became Brazil coach in 2025 and signed a contract extension to the 2030 World Cup earlier this year.
Brazil next play Singapore in their second friendly of the international break. Raphinha will miss that game as he serves a suspension following his red card.
Did the referee cost Brazil, or did Japan deserve the win?
