Brazil vs Japan live: World Cup last-32 score and lineups
Japan and Brazil are locked at 0-0 after 19 minutes in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 at Houston Stadium, with Vinícius Júnior and Matheus Cunha both in Carlo Ancelotti's starting XI. Casemiro and Kaishu Sano have been booked early, and whoever wins advances to face Norway or Ivory Coast in the last 16.
Key Takeaways
- Brazil 0-0 Japan after 19 minutes at NRG Stadium in Houston, with BBC Radio 5 Live carrying live text and audio.
- Brazil line up 4-3-3 with Vinícius Jr, Matheus Cunha and teenager Rayan up front; Japan deploy a 3-4-2-1 with Ayase Ueda leading the line.
- Yellow cards for Casemiro (15') and Sano (12') — Casemiro would miss Brazil's last-16 tie if they progress.
- Bookmakers favour Brazil at 13/20 per LiveScore; Japan arrive unbeaten in 10 matches including a 3-2 friendly win in October.
- The sides' only prior World Cup meeting was Brazil's 4-1 win in 2006.
What is the Japan Brazil score right now?
Kick-off was at 18:00 BST at NRG Stadium, and the tie remains goalless with 19 minutes on the clock. Brazil have had the lion's share of possession, but Japan look well organised at the back.
Matheus Cunha tested Zion Suzuki with a low drive from the edge of the box around the 14-minute mark — the goalkeeper parried behind for a corner even though the shot may have been drifting wide. Vinícius Jr also threatened when he raced in behind, only for Suzuki to punch clear at the edge of his area.
Danilo delivered a dangerous cross after getting behind Japan's back line, and Daichi Kamada won a free-kick on the edge of the box after Casemiro fouled Junya Ito. Kamada could not beat Brazil's wall from the set piece.
Who is starting for Brazil and Japan?
Vinícius Júnior and Matheus Cunha both start for the Selecao in a 4-3-3. BBC Sport lists the XI as Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Lucas Paquetá, Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães; Vinícius Jr, Matheus Cunha, Rayan.
Hajime Moriyasu has named a 3-4-2-1 for Japan: Zion Suzuki; Hiroki Ito, Taniguchi, Tomiyasu; Keito Nakamura, Kamada, Sano, Ritsu Doan; Daizen Maeda, Junya Ito; Ueda. Brazil legends Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos are among those watching from the stands.
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What do the odds say about Japan Brazil?
LiveScore lists Brazil to win at 13/20, the draw at 5/2 and Japan at 15/4 ahead of this Round of 32 fixture. Analysts highlight Ayase Ueda to score or assist at 12/5 — he scored the 71st-minute winner when Japan stunned Brazil 3-2 in Tokyo last October.
Japan or draw double chance is priced at 11/10, reflecting a Samurai Blue side that have lost only two of their last 28 internationals and scored seven goals across three group games. Vinícius Jr, meanwhile, hit four goals from eight shots on target in Group C.
Why does this World Cup last-32 tie matter?
This is one of the round's marquee clashes — two technically strong sides meeting far earlier than many expected. Brazil topped Group C with seven points; Japan finished second in Group F after draws with the Netherlands and Sweden plus a 4-0 win over Tunisia.
The BBC notes the sides last met in a friendly in October, when Japan stunned Brazil 3-2. Their only World Cup encounter came in 2006, when Brazil won 4-1 in the group stage. The victor today books a last-16 date with either Norway or Ivory Coast — and keeps alive dreams of a sixth Brazilian star or Japan's deepest-ever run.