2024 Olympics: Japan take all three points from Brazil in late comeback | OneFootball

Japan bounced immediately back from their opening defeat to world champions Spain with a 2-1 win against Brazil to put the two sides level on points in Group C.

After a goalless first half, Jheniffer opened the scoring in the 56th minute and looked to have done enough to give Brazil the three points. However, Japan hit two stoppage time goals, including a wonder strike from Momoko Tanikawa in the 96th minute.

Starting XIs

Brazil

Lorena; Rafaelle Souza, Lauren, Thaís Ferreira, Yasmim, Ana Vitória, Angelina, Antônia, Priscila, Gabi Nunes, Marta (c)

Japan

A. Yamashita; Minami, Kumagai (c), Takahashi, Moriya, Koga, Nagano, Hasegawa, Miyazawa, Hamano, Tanaka

How it went

A quiet first half saw relatively few real chances for either side. Brazil may have dominated the opening half hour, however Ayaka Yamashita was equal to the danger on every occasion. Shortly before the break, Japan were awarded a penalty following a handball in the area. Mina Tanaka stepped up to take the spot kick however her effort was easily dealt with by Lorena in the Brazilian goal.

Jhennifer got the goalscoring action underway in the second half. A fantastic run by captain Marta allowed the Brazilian No.11 to slip the ball beyond Yamashita to break the deadlock in the 56th minute. Brazil controlled much of the game after taking the lead with Japan forced to defend for extended periods.

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A second penalty for Japan came in the final seconds of regulation time after referee Rebecca Welch spotted a second hand ball inside the area. Saki Kumagai stepped up to take the spot kick, sending Lorena the wrong way to restore the deadlock. Just five minutes later, Tanikawa put Nadeshiko ahead deep into injury time. Unleashing a rocket of a strike, the Japanese No.12 snatched all three points with just two minutes left to play.

Up next

Brazil will conclude their group stage campaign with a difficult meeting against Spain as they look to secure their spot in the next round of the competition. Japan will face off against Nigeria for their final group stage game with Futoshi Ikeda’s side able to take a maximum six points from their opening three games.

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