Blue wave engulfs Brazil

'Players worked hard'

Ancelotti shuffled his lineup from the team that hammered South Korea, dropping goalscorers Estevao and Rodrygo to the bench along with Manchester United's Matheus Cunha.

Martinelli and Luiz Henrique came in to partner Vinicius Junior up front.

Japan was missing several injured regulars including Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo.

Brazil opened the scoring with a slick passing move that sent Paulo Henrique clear, and the Vasco da Gama defender finished in style.

Martinelli made it two just minutes later, when he smashed the ball past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki after Lucas Paqueta had found him with a clever chipped pass.

Japan pulled one back seven minutes into the second half, when Minamino pounced on a loose ball by Fabricio Bruno and blasted it past Hugo Souza.

"That goal was the start of our comeback, and it's great that it led to the win," said Minamino.

The host then grabbed the equalizer when Nakamura turned in the ball at the back post, via a heavy deflection from the hapless Bruno.

Ueda then hit the crossbar, before putting Japan in front a minute later with a bullet header.

Brazil tried to find a way back into the game, but Japan dealt comfortably with its attacks and could have added to its own tally.

"It was a friendly, but it's not easy to beat Brazil," said Moriyasu.

"Our players worked hard and we are trying every day to improve the level of the team.

"The players work for the team and for the country, and they showed that today."