Japan World Cup heartbreaks: Late Brazil winner adds to history of knockout near misses

For the third tournament in a row, Japan was subject to an early exit in the first round of the knockout stage. This year, five-time World Cup winner Brazil was the team that emerged victorious.

Japan scored first, as they also had for the two previous opening knockout round matches. However, not many leads in soccer are safe, and the Japanese know that feeling now all too well.

Before the 2026 match, the Samurai Blue found themselves at the wrong end of late-game losses either from a penalty shootout or stoppage time goal. The nation that is praised as one of the most respectful in World Cup stadiums has repeatedly left those sites with their head in their hands after picking up their garbage, of course.

Japan's recent stoppage-time loss to Brazil was the latest addition to a significant list of heartbreaking defeats. Here's a look at Japan's most recent exits at the World Cup.

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Japan World Cup heartbreaks 

For the third World Cup in a row, Japan was eliminated in the first round of the knockout stage. While this year's World Cup introduced a new Round of 32 format, the result was the same for the Samurai Blue after they were downed 2-1 in the first round by Brazil.

Japan is, unfortunately, no stranger to heartbreaking losses at the World Cup. In 2022 and 2018, the team also had second-half leads that were squandered. Here's a look at Japan's three most recent losses at the World Cup.

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2026 Round of 32 loss to Brazil

Heading into Monday's match against Brazil, Japan was not given much of a chance against A Selecao. Shortly after the first hydration break, it was actually the Samurai Blue who struck first.

Midfielder Kaishu Sano, a 25-year-old who plays for FSV Mainz in the German Bundesliga, intercepted a lackluster Brazilian pass. In a brilliant solo effort from the midfield line, Sano navigated rapidly through some yellow jerseys and put his shot just out of Alisson's reach in Brazil's net.

After the halftime break, Brazil placed with a heightened sense of urgency from behind. In the 56th minute, midfielder Casemiro was able to head in a cross from Gabriel Magalhaes to equalize for A Selecao. Japan did hold their own for the duration of the second half, including big saves from Zion Suzuki in net. In stoppage time, however, disaster struck for the Japanese.

At the sixth minute of stoppage time, Brazil worked a ball around the top of Japan's box. Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes delivered a perfect through ball to Gabriel Martinelli, an Arsenal forward, and the 2026 Champions League finalist knew where to slot the ball: the back of the net.

Monday's loss to Brazil wrapped up Japan's third-straight opening knockout round loss at the World Cup.

2022 Round of 16 loss to Croatia

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Japan again was able to navigate through the group stage and into the knockout round. The Samurai Blue were drawn to play against 2018 World Cup finalist Croatia in the Round of 16.

Just before the halftime whistle blew in Al Wakrah, Japan's Daizen Maeda was able to jump on a Maya Yoshida cross that was jumbled around in the Croatian box. In a similar fashion to their latest 2026 loss, Japan's opponent was able to equalize shortly after halftime. Croatia's Dejan Lovren whipped in a cross at just about the same spot from which Japan's goal originated, and found the head of Ivan Perisic. Perisic's rocket of a header got into the bottom right corner of the Japanese net.

The game stayed level until both periods of extra time had concluded. With the knockout round format, this meant a penalty shootout was on deck. Japan earned the right to the first kick of the penalty shootout, which began with a Takumi Minamino miss. Croatia converted on theirs, and Japan was forced to shoot from behind during the penalty sequence. After four shots, Japan had missed three to contrast Croatia's three makes, and the Europeans were onto the quarterfinals.

Here are the highlights from Japan vs. Croatia at the 2022 World Cup.

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2018 Round of 16 loss to Belgium

In 2018, Japan began its knockout stage campaign with a Round of 16 match against Belgium. Heading into the tournament, Belgium was highly touted as a potential World Cup threat due to their attacking talent of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, and Eden Hazard. 

Despite everything stacked against them, Japan scored both the game's first and second goals and led 2-0 after 52 minutes of play. The lead stood until the 69th minute, when Jan Vertonghen hit a high-arching header that landed over Japan's goalkeeper and into the Japanese net. After a plethora of Belgian attacks that couldn't be finished, the tide had turned.

Around five minutes later, Marouane Fellaini headed a ball in from the center of Japan's box to put the Red Devils on level terms with their second goal. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, a Thibaut Courtois and De Bruyne-led Belgian counterattack officially overcame the 2-0 deficit and ended Japan's run at the World Cup. Romelu Lukaku let De Bruyne's pass roll right between his legs to Nacer Chadli behind him, who scored after one touch. 

Here are the highlights from Japan vs. Belgium at the 2018 World Cup.

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