Brazil is considered favorite in the duel against Japan, with a 62% probability of reaching the round of 16, according to a forecast from Opta Analytics.
After the games on Thursday (25), the prediction tool indicates that Japan has a 38% chance of overcoming Carlo Ancelotti’s team and advancing in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup.
The Japanese team drew 1-1 with Sweden in Dallas (USA), and ended the group stage of the 2026 World Cup in second place in Group F.
Japan’s goal was scored in the 11th minute of the second half by number 11, Daizen Maeda, who plays as a left winger for Celtic, in Scotland.
Maeda received the ball sent into the box by Ritsu Doan and got in the goalkeeper’s face to open the scoring.
The Swedish team’s equalizer came six minutes later. It came from the feet of the other number 11, Anthony Elanga, who plays for Newcastle, in England.
Elanga hit a beautiful cross shot from outside the area, with his left leg, took it from the Japanese goalkeeper, Suzuki, and left everything the same in Kansas.
Still in the Japan group, the Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 in Kansas City and finished the first phase at the top of the table. Now, the Dutch face Morocco, second in Group C, behind Brazil.
