Brazil vs Japan - World Cup last 32 LIVE: Live updates
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage of the latest updates as Brazil take on Japan in the round of 32 of the World Cup at the Houston Stadium.
16:29
Throwing it back to October
Chris Sutton has just given me a Scottie Pippen-esque lay-up there.
While I spoke about how omens may be against Japan, given their poor overall record against Brazil, the last time they played them actually went very well.
Now, cast your minds back to October, and the new-look Brazil are thriving under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
They race into a 2-0 first-half lead over Japan in a friendly in Tokyo, and everyone thinks the game is over.
But then comes the comeback of all comebacks, as Japan netted three goals in 19 second-half minutes to stun the Brazilians and everyone around the world.
It was one hell of a statement, and they will want to repeat it here.
16:25
'Japan will knock out Brazil'
Chris Sutton, former England striker, on BBC Sport:
Japan are his dark horses for the tournament and it wouldn't be fair to him if I didn't go with him on this game. They beat Brazil for the first time when they played them in a friendly in Tokyo last October and I think they are going to beat them again here and knock them out.16:21
Whatever happens, it will be a fascinating match. Brazil could go on and win this World Cup and, if they do, it will be because of their manager, Carlo Ancelotti. He's a superb organiser, but I worry about them in the middle of the park, and I don't think they have got the legs to deal with Japan's rapid attacks.
Can Japan secure a first knockout win?
This is the stage Japan usually get unstuck.
It may come as a surprise to you, but the Japanese have never managed to win a knockout stage game. I know, it's just crazy.
They came so close four years ago in Qatar, but lost in the worst way possible against Croatia. Yep, you know it, via a penalty shootout.
Now, this may be their best chance to finally secure a knockout stage win, but still, history is not on their side.
Japan have only beaten Brazil once across 14 prior meetings (D2 L11), though it was the most recent.
But hey, all these records have to be broken at some point, don't they?
16:16Atmosphere building
The vibes in Houston are immaculate.
I mean, I'm not surprised. Brazil and Japan have two of the most enthusiastic fan bases in this World Cup.
The noise that the Brazilians were making in Miami is not something I will forget in a hurry. They were somehow managing to outdo the Scots, which is really something.
I can't wait to here the atmosphere in that stadium tonight.
16:12'Brazil will come alive now'
Teddy Sheringham, former England striker, speaking to ComeOn:
I fully expect this Brazil team to be up there and challenging now the World Cup knockout stage has begun. That’s what Brazil do. They'll come alive now.
You look at what Carlo Ancelotti did at Real Madrid, and it’s a perfect match. Brazil can be similar to the Real Madrid teams that won all those Champions League titles because that’s what the top teams do.
They will come to the fore now that we're into the big money parts of the tournament. That's what it's all about. That's what the top teams, the top players are all here for, to come alive in these moments.
16:07Brazil's route to the knockouts
Want to know how Brazil got here?
Well, their campaign didn't exactly start as planned, and many people doubted them. But after that first game against Morocco, they clicked into gear and started to turn it on.
The goals started flowing, as did the clean sheets, and now people have them down as one of the favourites again.
Here are their results from the group stage:
- Brazil 1-1 Morocco
- Haiti 0-3 Brazil
- Scotland 0-3 Brazil
16:03Viva la Vini Jr
Vinicius Jr is back to his best, isn't he?
It's fair to say that his club form for Real Madrid last campaign wasn't exactly great. Let's be real, he was pants for the majority of the season.
But at this World Cup, he's been brilliant. There is something about Carlo Ancelotti being the winger's boss that just gets the best out of him.
Vinicius Jr got a brace against Scotland, but he could have easily bagged four, five, six, or even seven. I'm serious, the man was having chance after chance, but just couldn't find that hat-trick goal.
If Vinicius Jr continues to play like he has been today, Japan could be in big trouble. He has four goals in three games and will be hungry for more.
Can he bag another today?
15:58'Japan are very dynamic'
Emile Heskey, former England striker, speaking to Hajper:
I like this Japan team. They played against England and looked very dynamic and Kubo can still be the surprise package this summer if they get past Brazil just like how James Rodriguez made a name for himself at the 2014 World Cup.
15:54Japan Team News - Kubo RETURNS to bench
And in the blue corner...
Japan have had a major boost ahead of this monster match, with Takefusa Kubo fit enough again to make the squad.
They also make four changes to the side that drew with Sweden, as Shogo Taniguchi, Junya Ito, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kaishu Sano all come in.
15:49
Brazil Team News - UNCHANGED
Why change a winning formula, eh?
Carlo Ancelotti opts to stick with the same starting XI that ripped through Scotland at will last week.
That means that Rayan keeps his spot on the right wing with Raphinha still out through injury.
Can he continue to shine in that spot?
15:46
Brazilian boys in town
Oh no...
If I were Japan, I would be worried, very worried. Why? Because Carlo Ancelotti has gone early on his famous eyebrow raise. Everybody knows that when Ancelotti raises that eyebrow, his teams wreak havoc on the opposition.
In all seriousness, though, the Italian has led his Brazil side into the Houston Stadium.
Their team news will be with you in just a second.
15:42The dark horses
We have never seen Japan this strong at a World Cup before.
Yep, that includes the sides that lost to Belgium and Croatia in the last two editions of the tournament. Those were great sides that were unlucky to get knocked out, but this one is even better.
They have shown they can give as good as they get against teh big boys, both before the tournament by beating England at Wembley, and during it against the Netherlands in their opener.
Now, they aren't the full package, but if anybody is going to spring a surprise against Brazil, it's this team.
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Can they knock out the most successful nation in this tournament's history?
They've got more than just a chance, that's for sure.
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