The 91st minute at Singapore National Stadium did two things. It gave Japan their second-ever win over Brazil, and it emptied the Seleção bench of both head coach and captain. Sakamoto poked home the decider, Ancelotti stormed onto the pitch, and when the dust settled both he and Raphinha had been shown straight red cards.

Brazil’s grievance, as reported by Goal, was that the goal should never have stood. The build-up started with what Brazil’s staff saw as a foul on João Gomes that went uncalled, and as the ball crossed the line Ancelotti had already left the technical area to confront the referee. Raphinha, who had been substituted off for Endrick in the 71st minute, was sent off from the bench.

The result was a comeback and a collapse rolled into one. Japan led 2-0 inside 20 minutes through Takefusa Kubo in the 15th and Keito Nakamura in the 19th minute. Vinícius Júnior single-handedly dragged Brazil back into the match with a goal in the 33rd and the equaliser in the 75th. Everything pointed to Brazil scraping out a draw. Instead, Sakamoto found space in stoppage time.

A second time in 13 months

The context is what makes the night embarrassing for Ancelotti. Japan had not beaten Brazil in any of their first 14 meetings before a 3-2 friendly in Tokyo on 14 October 2025. That match was also a second-half comeback; this one was the follow-up, played in front of a neutral Asian crowd. According to SBS, Japan’s head-to-head record against the five-time world champions now reads two wins, two draws and twelve defeats.

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Both Japanese wins have come in the same Ancelotti era, and both have ended 3-2. The Italian has now lost to the same opponent twice, and been sent off the second time it happened.

What it costs Brazil

The immediate price is a suspended captain. Brazil’s next match is against hosts Singapore on 17 November at the same stadium, closing out Ancelotti’s November window. Raphinha will serve his suspension there.

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