Hammers midfielder Lucas Paquetá completed 75 minutes of Brazil’s 3-2 defeat at the hands of Japan in an international friendly on Tuesday.
The five-time global champions, who defeated South Korea 5-0 in the first of their two exhibition encounters in East Asia on Friday, looked set to pick up another victory as part of their 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations after goals from Paulo Henrique and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli - assisted by our No10 - had put them 2-0 ahead at the break.
But Japan staged a remarkable second-half comeback at a sold-out Tokyo Stadium, earning their first-ever win over Carlo Ancelotti’s South Americans in 14 meetings, and resigning Brazil to only their second defeat since the Italian Ancelotti took over in May.
Former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino halved the deficit in the 52nd minute after Fabricio Bruno's misplaced pass, and then ten minutes later, Keito Nakamura restored parity when his goal-bound shot deceived Hugo Souza after it deflected off Bruno.
Spurred on in front of their own fans, Japan pressed for a winner, and it duly arrived via Ayase Junya, who provided the decisive moment on 71 minutes, having met substitute Junya Ito’s pinpoint corner with a powerful header after beating Brazil defender Lucas Beraldo to the ball.
With Brazil having already secured a spot at next year's World Cup, Paquetá, who has registered three goals in his first eight appearances for West Ham this season, will hope to add to his 59 caps for his country during November’s international window ahead of next year’s finals in North America.
