A commanding 2-0 lead evaporated in a disastrous second half, leaving captain Casemiro and coach Ancelotti to sound the alarm with the World Cup on the horizon.
Brazil’s hopes for a perfect pre-World Cup send-off turned to dismay on Tuesday as a stunning second-half collapse saw them fall 3-2 to Japan, handing the hosts a historic first-ever victory against the five-time world champions.
Just days after an electrifying 5-0 win over South Korea, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad seemed in control, cruising to a 2-0 halftime lead with goals from Paulo Henrique and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli. However, the match unraveled after the break, as defensive errors paved the way for a remarkable Japanese comeback.
The shift was so dramatic that captain Casemiro described it as a “second-half blackout by the entire team.”
“If you sleep for 45 minutes, it could cost you a World Cup, a Copa América, a medal, a four-year dream,” a frustrated Casemiro told Sportv. “Perhaps we threw away our excellent preparation in 45 minutes. So, let this be a lesson learned… because 45 minutes can cost you a childhood dream.”
The turnaround began when a misplaced pass from defender Fabricio Bruno allowed Takumi Minamino to score for Japan. The situation worsened minutes later as Bruno sliced an attempted clearance into his own net. The stunning comeback was completed when Ayase Ueda headed in the winner, leaving the Brazilian squad stunned.
While acknowledging the individual mistakes, Coach Ancelotti pointed to the team’s fragile reaction as the true failure.
“Individual mistakes don’t affect a player’s presence on the team,” Ancelotti stated. “What we have to evaluate is the team’s reaction after the first mistake, which wasn’t good… The team’s biggest mistake was not reacting well after the first goal. It’s a good lesson for the future.”
Ancelotti emphasized the need for perspective, calling for balance after a trip that featured a brilliant victory and a jarring defeat. He confirmed the team will continue its evaluations in November, hoping the painful lesson in Tokyo will forge a more resilient squad when the World Cup arrives.
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