Few matchups in international football have managed to showcase diverse styles like Brazil vs Japan head to head. The Selecao brings their flair and attacking magic, while Japan counters with precision and teamwork. Since their first meeting in 1989, this fixture have produced memorable moments that define both nations' footballing ideology.
Brazil vs Japan Head to Head: Stats, Rivalry History, Form Guide, Biggest Wins
H2H Overall Match Stats


Brazil national football team dominates this rivalry with an impressive record, while Japan continues to grow stronger with each match. Each meeting tells the story of South American brilliance meeting Asian discipline. The Japan vs Brazil head to head matches remain special occasions where different football cultures collide on the biggest stage.
Let's learn more about head to head Japan vs Brazil, Brazil vs Japan head to head, Brazil vs Japan rivalry, and Brazil national football team vs Japan national football team stats, as well as Brazil football team stats, in more in-depth sections below.
Japan vs Brazil Head to Head: Overall Record
The numbers paint a clear picture of Brazilian dominance across their 13 official encounters. Brazil have won 11 matches, with Japan national football team managing just 2 draws and zero victories. This one-sided record includes World Cup meetings, Confederations Cup clashes, and friendly matches spanning over three decades.
Japan's best results came in the Confederations Cup - a 0-0 draw in 2001 and a thrilling 2-2 encounter in 2005. These moments gave Japanese fans hope, but recent meetings have been tough. Brazil scored 35 goals while conceding only 5 across all encounters. The goal difference shows the gulf in attacking quality between these sides
Stats | Japan | Brazil |
---|---|---|
Total Matches | 5 | 5 |
Wins | 5 | |
Losses | 5 | |
Draws |
Brazil vs Japan H2H: A Brief Look Into the Past Matches
Their first encounter came in July 1989, with Brazil winning 1-0 in a friendly that set the tone for future meetings. The 1990s brought heavier defeats for Japan, including brutal 5-1 and 4-0 losses that showed the massive gap between the teams. Brazil's technical superiority was evident in every department during this period.
The 2000s marked Japan's best spell in this rivalry. They earned draws in consecutive Confederations Cups and even scored multiple goals. Their 2-2 draw in 2005 remains their finest performance against Brazil. However, the 2010s saw Brazil regain complete control. Matches like the 4-0 victories in 2012 and 2014 reminded everyone of the Selecao's class.
Advertisement
Brazil National Football Team vs Japan National Football Team Stats: Overall H2H Stats Comparison
The Brazil national football team vs Japan national football team stats reveal Brazil's overwhelming superiority across all metrics.
Stats | Japan | Brazil |
---|---|---|
Goals Scored | 2 | 12 |
Goals Conceded | 12 | 2 |
Points Per Game | 3 | |
Clean Sheets | 3 | |
Yellow Cards | 6 | 3 |
Red Cards |
Advertisement
Brazil vs Japan H2H: All-Time Top Scorers
Goals have come from various Brazilian stars across different generations, showing their consistent attacking threat. Multiple players have found the net in this fixture; the Santos forward Neymar Junior leads the chart with nine goals. In comparison, players like Zinho, Ronaldo Nazario, Paulinho, and Flavio Conceicao are behind him with 2 goals each. This reflects Brazil's tactical approach, where goals come from different positions and players.
Japan's scoring opportunities have been extremely limited against Brazilian defenses. Their few goals came mainly from set pieces or isolated moments of brilliance. The Brazil football team stats and Japan football team stats in this fixture show how one-sided the goal-scoring has been, with Brazil's attacking depth proving too much for Japanese defenses across multiple decades.
Rank | Player | Goals Scored |
---|---|---|
1 | Neymar | 6 |
2 | Ronaldo | 2 |
3 | Gilberto | 1 |
4 | Gabriel Jesus | 1 |
5 | Tomoaki Makino | 1 |
6 | Juninho Pernambucano | 1 |
7 | Marcelo | 1 |
8 | Keiji Tamada | 1 |
Advertisement
Brazil vs Japan Trophies: Who has won more Accolades?
The Brazil vs Japan trophies comparison shows Brazil's status as football royalty. Brazil have won 5 FIFA World Cups, numerous Copa America titles, and multiple Confederations Cups. Their trophy cabinet includes over 20 major international honors, making them one of football's most successful nations.
Japan's achievements include 4 AFC Asian Cup victories and consistent World Cup appearances since the 1990s. While they haven't reached Brazil's heights, Japan remains Asia's most consistent performer. Their qualification for every World Cup since 1998 shows steady progress, though major global trophies continue to elude them.
Competition | Brazil | Japan |
---|---|---|
FIFA World Cup | 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002) | - |
FIFA Confederations Cup | 4 (1997, 2005, 2009, 2013) | - |
Copa América | 9 (1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2019) | - |
Panamerican Championship | 2 (1952, 1956) | - |
AFC Asian Cup | - | 4 (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011) |
Afro-Asian Cup of Nations | - | 2 (1993, 2007) |
AFC–OFC Challenge Cup | - | 1 (2001) |
Far Eastern Games | - | 1 (1930) |
EAFF East Asian Cup / EAFF E-1 Football Championship | - | 3 (2013, 2022, 2025) |
Advertisement
Japan Vs Brazil H2H: Biggest Wins
Brazil's most emphatic victories include the 5-1 thrashing in 1995 and multiple 4-0 wins in 2012 and 2014. These results showcase Brazil's ability to completely overwhelm Japanese defenses when playing at their best. The 1995 encounter featured classic Brazilian attacking football that left Japan chasing shadows.
Japan's closest results remain those two Confederations Cup draws, particularly the 2-2 match in 2005, where they showed they could score against elite opposition. Recent encounters have been more controlled by Brazil, with narrow victories becoming the norm as Japan improved their defensive organization.
Advertisement
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Japan ever beaten Brazil?
+
Has Japan ever beaten Brazil?
No, Japan have never beaten Brazil, though they did come close on two occasions.
Who has more wins in Japan vs Brazil rivalry?
+
Who has more wins in Japan vs Brazil rivalry?
Brazil has more wins in this rivalry. Brazil has won 5 matches, while Japan has won 0 matches.
What is the overall head-to-head record between Japan and Brazil?
+
What is the overall head-to-head record between Japan and Brazil?
The overall head-to-head record between Japan and Brazil is: Japan 0 wins, Brazil 5 wins, and 0 draws. In total, they have played 5 matches against each other.
Who is more successful between Japan and Brazil?
+
Who is more successful between Japan and Brazil?
Brazil has been more successful in this rivalry with a 100.0% win rate compared to 0.0% for Japan.
What is Brazil's biggest win over Japan?
+
What is Brazil's biggest win over Japan?
Brazil's biggest win over Japan was 0-4 in 2014.
Who holds the record of the most goals scored in Japan vs Brazil?+
Neymar is the top scorer in Japan vs Brazil matches with 6 goals in 3 fixtures.
Conversation
(0 Comments)
Editor's Pick
Editor's Pick