'Just before a major upset,' Japan takes a 1-0 lead against Brazil... Sano's 'one-shot, one-kill' counterattack succeeds. 'Will they really reach the Round of 16?' (End of first half)

*This content was translated by AI.

Japan seized the initiative against the 'powerhouse' Brazil.

Japan leads 1-0 at the end of the first half in the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup Round of 32 match against Brazil, held at the Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas, USA, at 2 a.m. on the 30th (Korean time).

Japan deployed a 3-4-3 formation. Leading the front line was Ayase Ueda, with Daizen Maeda and Junya Ito positioned on the left and right flanks respectively. The midfield consisted of Daichi Kamada and Kai Sano, while Keito Nakamura and Ritsu Doan were deployed as wing-backs on the left and right flanks. The back three comprised Hiroki Ito, Shogo Taniguchi, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Goalkeeper Aion Suzuki wore the gloves.

Brazil countered with a 4-3-3 formation. The front three of Mateus Cunha, Vinicius, and Hwang led the attack. In the second line, Lucas Paqueta, Casemiro, and Bruno Guimarães were positioned. The back four consisted of Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães, and Douglas Santos. Alisson Becker guarded the goal.

In the early stages of the match, Japan adopted an extremely cautious approach, prioritizing defense by narrowing gaps rather than building up play. In contrast, Brazil sought to maintain high possession and launch attacks.

Brazil took the first dangerous shot. In the 14th minute of the first half, Cunha's shot from the arc circle, after a challenge with a defender, flew into the corner of the goal, but goalkeeper Suzuki leaped to make a desperate save.

Just one minute later, Japan counterattacked. Casemiro tackled Junya Ito just outside the penalty box, and the referee immediately showed a yellow card. In the ensuing free-kick situation, Kamada took a shot, but it hit the wall and deflected.

Immediately after the hydration break, Japan scored the opening goal. In the 30th minute of the first half, near the center line, Sano intercepted Danilo's pass and immediately dribbled past him. He then unexpectedly struck a low shot from behind the arc circle, finding the back of the net. Alisson goalkeeper dove but the ball lodged in the bottom corner of the goal.

Brazil struggled to penetrate Japan's tight five-back defense. Although Vinicius and Cunha took consecutive long-range shots, they lacked power. The first half ended with Japan leading 1-0.

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*This content was translated by AI.