Brazil and Japan Draw 0-0 in Crucial 2026 World Cup Round of 32 Match in Houston
On Monday evening at Houston's NRG Stadium, Brazil and Japan faced off in a decisive Round of 32 match in the 2026 World Cup. The winner would advance to the Round of 16, while the loser would be eliminated from the tournament. Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, fielded largely the same lineup that had secured two group stage wins against Haiti and Scotland, with Ryan Young replacing the injured Raphinha on the wing. Japan, considered underdogs, showed confidence despite missing key player Takuma Kubo due to injury. The two teams had previously met 14 times, with Japan claiming their first-ever victory over Brazil in October 2025 with a 3-2 win. The match, officiated by Italian referee Maurizio Mariani, ended in a goalless draw after the first half. The winner of this match will face the victor of the Norway versus Ivory Coast game in the next round.
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