A stoppage time goal from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto saw Japan claim a thrilling 3-2 victory over Brazil at the Singapore National Stadium.
In the first meeting between the two nations since the 2026 World Cup, where Carlo Ancelotti's side dashed Japan's hopes of a promising tournament by coming from behind to eliminate the Samurai Blue in the last-32.
In a similar fashion to that enthralling fixture in Houston, Japan came flying out of the blocks with their relentless pressing and abundant energy, and they were rewarded after 15 minutes through a blistering breakaway.
Brazil's defence was all at sea when Ritsu Doan slipped Takefusa Kubo a pass in behind for the forward to chase and after scampering into the opposition penalty area, Kubo cut onto his left foot and fired beyond Pedro Morisco at his near post.
Japan should have made it two just moments later as Daizen Maeda missed two opportunities in quick succession - the first a smart stop from Morisco - but Hajime Moriyasu's men soon doubled their advantage with a sublime team goal.
Wing-back Shuto Nakano endeavoured forward and drilled a low cross into the path of Keito Nakamura, who took a touch before rolling a composed finish into the bottom corner.
Brazil needed something special to haul them back into the contest, and Vinicius Junior duly answered that call. The forward picked up the ball on the edge of Japan's penalty area and fired a ferocious effort beyond a helpless Zion Suzuki.
The Selecao improved after the goal, even if their defending remained rather suspect, and they began to knock on Japan's door early in the second half but to no avail.
If they were going to salvage anything from the match, Vinicius Jr consistently appeared to be their likely source and the Real Madrid star conjured another magical moment with 15 minutes remaining.
Drifting inside onto his right foot, Vinicius curled an unstoppable effort into the far corner. Suzuki got a touch to it, but only enough to tip it onto the inside of the post, with the ball ricocheting onto the opposite post and in.
Suzuki was called into action again nine minutes later as the Aston Villa shot-stopper demonstrated excellent reflexes to tip Endrick's dipping effort over the crossbar.
With Brazil piling on the pressure, it was Ancelotti's men who seemed the more likely victors, only for Coventry City's Tatsuhiro Sakamoto to pop up in stoppage time and stun the five-time world champions.
A defected effort fell into the path of Sakamoto, who produced a divine lofted finish over Morisco. His celebrations were against the backdrop of furious Brazil players and coaching staff, who felt Takumi Minamino should have been reprimanded for a foul in the build-up.
Those appeals were waved away, and in Moriyasu's penultimate fixture before he steps down as Japan boss, he's overseen yet another historic victory for the Samurai Blue.
Japan v Brazil starting lineups
Japan XI: Suzuki; Seko, Nakano, Machida; Doan, Ito, Kamada, Nakamura; Tanaka, Maeda, Kubo
Brazil XI: Morisco; Wesley, Jair, Gabriel, Augusto; Andrey Santos, Guimaraes, Andre; Estevao, Raphinha, Vinicius Jr
Japan v Brazil Timeline
15' - GOAL for Japan. Scored by Takefusa Kubo, assisted by Ritsu Doan.
19' - GOAL for Japan. Scored by Keito Nakamura, assisted by Shuto Nakano.
33' - GOAL for Brazil. Scored by Vinicius Junior, assisted by Bruno Guimaraes.
58' - Marlon Gomes replaced Andre, Alisson replaced Estevao, Jonathan Jesus replaced Jair Cunha.
62' - Kaishu Sano replaced Takefusa Kubo, Yukinari Sugawara replaced Shuto Nakano.
71' - Endrick replaced Raphinha.
72' - Junya Ito replaced Keito Nakamura, Koki Ogawa replaced Daizen Maeda, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto replaced Ritsu Doan, Takumi Minamino replaced Daichi Kamada.
75' - GOAL for Brazil. Scored by Vinicius Junior, assisted by Bruno Guimaraes.
79' - Vanderson replaced Wesley Franca, Joao Gomes replaced Andrey Santos.
86' - Ko Itakura replaced Koki Machida, Junnosuke Suzuki replaced Hiroki Ito., Kodai Sano replaced Ao Tanaka.
87' - Yellow card for Junnosuke Suzuki.
87' - Yellow card for Vinicius Junior.
87' - Yellow card for Endrick.
90+1' - GOAL for Japan. Scored by Tatsuhiro Sakamoto.
Japan v Brazil Match Stats
Japan | 3-2 | Brazil |
42% | Possession | 58% |
1.17 | xG | 1.54 |
8 | Shots | 17 |
4 | Shots on Target | 6 |
3 | Big Chances | 2 |
4 | Goalkeeper Saves | 1 |
1 | Corners | 9 |
318 | Completed Passes | 446 |
21 | Fouls Committed | 9 |
25 | Clearances | 25 |
1 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
