Japan 3-2 Brazil Player Ratings: Takumi Minamino Rated 8/10 as Samurai Blues Hand Brazil Another Heavy Blow

The Japan national football team went head-to-head against Brazil in an international friendly at the Ajinomoto Stadium on 14th October, 2025. Goals from Henrique and Martinelli from Brazil and Minamino, Nakamura, and Ueda from Japan made the score 3-2. Read on to find Japan vs Brazil player ratings. After a demonstration of total attacking football from both sides, it was Brazil who struck first. In the 26th minute, Paulo Henrique opened up the score with a stunning goal, assisted by Bruno Guimaraes. Before Japan could regroup, the Samba Boys doubled their lead. In the 32nd minute, Gabriel Martinelli scored another goal for his country. He was assisted by Lucas Paqueta. The first half concluded with a 0-2 score.

The second half stirred a comeback story from Japan as a mistake from a Brazilian defender gifted Minamino an opportunity to score, and the Takumi obliged, making it 1-2. It was indeed a comeback as the 63rd minute saw Keito Nakamura make it 2-2. In the 72nd minute, Ueda made it 3-2 for Japan with a goal from a corner. The match ends with a 3-2 score. Here are Japan vs Brazil player ratings

Japan Player Ratings vs Brazil

Here are Japan player ratings against Brazil:

Goalkeeper

Zion Suzuki- 5.5/10

While Zion Suzuki conceded two goals, the goalkeeper barely had much to do in both situations. He gave away the ball one time in the first half..

Defenders

Tsuyoshi Watanabe- 5/10

As strong Tsuyoshi Watanabe looked in the defense line for Japan, the center-back looked disappointed at how his team conceded the two goals. In the first 45 minutes, he made 2 interceptions and won all his ground and aerial duels.

Shogo Taniguchi- 5.5/10

Shogo Taniguchi was the middle man of the 3-man Japanese defense line today. However, it was a below-average performance from the center-back. In the first half, he won all his ground duels and made 2 recoveries.

Junnosuke Suzuki- 5/10

While Junnosuke Suzuki held the fort down well with his defensive peers, after constant attacks from Brazilian players, the discipline finally fell short. He had 3 recoveries and 2 clearances by the end of the first half.

Midfielders

Ritsu Doan- 5/10

Japan truly showcased what a hardworking midfield looks like. Ritsu Doan was one of the key players in the midfield dominance of the Japanese National Football Team today. He contributed to both their attacks and defensive duties.

Daichi Kamada- 5.5/10

Daichi Kamada held the fort down for his team today. His calls were invaluable for the Japanese team's dominance in winning the second and third balls as the Brazilian midfielder struggled to get their foot down in the midfield today.

Kaishu Sano- 5/10

The Japanese midfielders certainly played well through the Brazilian press today. Kaishu San was one of the biggest names behind their midfield dominance today. He showed exceptional command ahead of the defense.

Keito Nakamura- 5/10

Keito Nakamura stood his ground well today. Unlike his other midfield peers, he had more defensive duties today, which he fulfilled exceptionally. In the first half, there were hardly any successful build-ups from Brazil through the left flank. He scored the 2nd goal for his team.

Takefusa Kubo- 7/10

Takefusa Kubo certainly doesn't lack the quality when it comes to creating value in the front line. However, the Real Sociedad winger did not have many opportunities to create chances for his forward today, especially in the first half.

Takumi Minamino- 8/10

It's not often that we see Hajime Moriyasu pair up Takumi Minamino with Kubo, as both of them play in the same position. Looking at the match, it seems that Moriyasu's plan worked as the pair posed a lot of attacking threat for the Brazilian defenders. He scored the first goal for his team in the second half.

Forwards

Ayase Ueda- 6/10

Ayase Ueda was eager to give the Blue Samurai an early lead. However, Brazil had more possession of the ball in the first half, and the forward rarely saw any chances created for him in the first 45 minutes. After putting up so much work, he finally got his goal in the 72nd minute.

Substitutions

Junya Ito- 4/10

Junya Ito came in the second half to take Takefusa Kubo's spot. He was the first sub of the game.

Ao Tanaka- 4/10

Ao Tanaka came into the match in the 74th minute to replace Minamino.

Shuto Machino- 4/10

Shuto Machino came into the match in the 74th minute alongside Ao Tanaka.

Yuki Soma- 4/10

Yuki Soma came into the match in the 74th minute to replace Keito Nakamura.

Manager

Hajime Moriyasu- 6/10

It was just another day for Hajime Moriyasu. He is now used to making comebacks with his team in the grandest stages of world football. He would be happy with his team's performance.

Brazil Player Ratings vs Japan

Here are Brazil player ratings against Japan:

Goalkeeper

Hugo Souza- 6/10

Hugo Souza had a decent game, especially in the first half. The Brazilian goalkeeper was barely tested. In fact, he made just 1 save in the first half.

Defenders

Carlos Agusto- 5.5/10

Carlos Agusto had a decent defensive performance today. In the totality of the first half, he had made a total of 2 interceptions and 4 clearances. He also had 4 ball recoveries in the first 45 minutes.

Lucas Beraldo- 5/10

Lucas Beraldo had a relaxing first half where the defender barely had work cut out for him. In the totality of the first half, he made 2 clearances and made 1 recovery.

Fabricio Bruno- 5/10

Fabricio Bruno cleared every brewing danger as if it were just another day for the defender. He had 2 interceptions, 2 clearances in the first half. In the first 45 minutes, he had a total of 4 recoveries. He was unfortunate to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time during Japan's second goal.

Paulo Henrique- 6/10

Paulo Henrique made his mark as a goal scorer today. After a quick one-touch play at the edge of the Japanese box, Paulo Henrique found himself darting through the defense line before making a first-time finish past Kion Suzuki.

Midfielders

Casemiro- 5/10

Unlike his midfield peers, Casemiro had more defensive duties today. He was the main man in protecting the backline of the Brazilian defense. He had done a decent job in the CDM position throughout the first half.

Bruno Guimaraes-5/10

While Brazil lacked the work ethic in the midfield today, the players were instrumental where it mattered the most. Bruno Guimaraes played a key part in dealing with the dangers from Japanese attacks. He made an assist today for the first goal.

Gabriel Martinelli- 6.5/10

Gabriel Martinelli was one of the goal scorers today. He found himself in a position where a chipped ball fell to his range. The winger did not hesitate and scored the 2nd goal with a left-footed half-volley.

Lucas Paqueta- 5.5/10

Lucas Paqueta found himself in a troublesome situation as the Brazilian did not see much of the ball in the beginning minutes of the game. Once he started to see more balls to his feet, he created quality chances. In fact, he bagged an assist in the first half.

Luiz Henrique- 4.5/10

Luiz Henrique had a quiet performance today, especially in the first half. Other than his contribution with passes, especially in the opposition half, he barely made any contributions in the first half.

Forwards

Vinicus Jr- 5/10

Vinicus Jr was one of the players with the highest touches of the ball in the first half. However, the Real Madrid winger barely created any chances for his team. Moreover, he lacked poise at the front line in the first half.

Substitutions

Joelinton- 4/10

Joelinton came into the match in the 57th minute to take the place of Bruno Guimaraes.

Matheus Cunha- 4/10

Matheus Cunha came into the game in the 57th minute to take the place of Vinicius Jr.

Rodrygo- 4/10

Rodrygo came into the match in the 57th minute to take the place of Martinelli.

Richarlison- 4/10

Richarlison came into the game in the 75th minute to replace Lucas Paqueta.

Estevao- 4/10

Estevao came into the game in the 75th minute to take the place of Luiz Henrique.

Manager

Carlo Ancelotti- 4/10

Carlo Ancelotti would be disappointed in his team's performance, especially in the second half, where his team failed to control the tempo of the game despite a 2-goal cushion.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match is Takumi Minamino.