It looked to be going to plan for Brazil when goals from Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli put them in charge at half-time.

But the visitors fell apart after the break. Takumi Minamino pulled one back after 52 minutes and Keito Nakamura levelled 11 minutes later.

Brazil were rocking and with a fervent crowd pushing them on, the hosts netted the winner after 71 minutes, Ayase Ueda heading home.

Ueda spurns chance to hurt Brazil

The early stages were a tactical battle with both teams struggling to find any fluency – perhaps not surprising in Brazil’s case given the number of changes to the starting XI.

Vinicius Jr was operating as a false nine and struggled to make much of an impression with Brazil lacking much attacking threat.

Indeed, Japan ought to have taken the lead after 20 minutes. Brilliant play by Ritsu Doan created the opportunity, Minamino flicked it on for Ueda but he put his shot wide on the stretch.

It was to prove a costly miss as Brazil scored from their next opening.

Henrique started the move with a pass to Bruno Guimaraes, who after completing a one-two with Martinelli, played it back for the Fluminense forward to fire home.

It was 2-0 shortly afterwards, Lucas Paqueta lifting the ball over the Japan defence for Martinelli to slot past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki with his left foot.

Doan had Japan’s first shot on target towards the end of the first half but it did not trouble Brazil goalkeeper Hugo Souza.

Minamino stars comeback

Brazil had to steady the ship at the start of the second period and keep the hosts at bay until the life drained from the crowd.

They were unable to do it, though.

Brazil were the architects of their own downfall as, just a couple of minutes after Minamino had come close, some woeful defending gave Japan a route back into the contest.

After playing the ball around the back, it was passed to Fabricio Bruno and he took a heavy touch, then slipped, allowing former Liverpool man Minamino to take control and fire past Souza.

Ancelotti introduced Joelinton, Matheus Cunha and Rodrygo with Guimaraes, Martinelli and Vinicius Jr going off but it did little to stem the flow towards the Brazil goal.

The home side drew level with some more questionable play from Bruno.

The ball was swung into the box, Nakamura hammered it goalwards and Bruno took a wild swing to divert it into the net.

Casemiro survived a penalty appeal for handball while, at the other end, Luiz Henrique saw a goal disallowed for offside before Joelinton skewed horribly wide after being played in by Rodrygo.

Ueda wasn’t as wasteful shortly afterwards, powering Junya Ito’s corner past Souza, whose reactions ought to have been sharper.

Brazil came close to an equaliser in injury-time, substitute Richarlison failing to keep his header down when well placed.