Brazil and Japan enter the field in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup this Monday (29), at 2 pm (Brasília time), in Houston, in the United States. The duel gains a special flavor due to the curious recent coincidence.
The teams were eliminated by the same opponents in the last two editions of the World Cup and saw the match “postponed”. The farewell scripts showed striking similarities, with an advantage built, the reaction of rivals and frustration at the end of the games.
At the World Cup in Russia in 2018, with Belgium in the quarter-finals and round of 16 respectively, their paths through the tournament.
The 2018 drama: Belgium as executioner
Japan was very close to one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup. In Rostov-on-Don, they took a 2-0 lead at the start of the second half against Belgium, with goals from Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui.
Belgium, however, reacted quickly. Jan Vertonghen and Marouane Fellaini drew. In stoppage time, Nacer Chadli completed a stunning counterattack to secure the Belgian victory by 3-2.
Days later, it was Brazil’s turn to meet Belgium in the quarterfinals. In Kazan, the Europeans took a 2-0 lead in the first half, with an own goal from Fernandinho and another from Kevin De Bruyne.
The Brazilian team pressed in the final stage and scored with Renato Augusto. However, they were unable to avoid the 2-1 defeat, which ended the campaign for the team led by Tite.
Croatia, the executioner of 2022
Four years later, in 2022, Brazil and Japan fell again to the same opponent: Croatia. In the round of 16 of the Qatar Cup, Japan [HIPERLINK AQUI] took the lead with a goal from Daizen Maeda.
Croatia equalized through Ivan Perisic and the score remained 1-1 during extra time. On penalties, goalkeeper Dominik Livaković shone, saving three shots.
The Croatians won the match 3-1 and advanced to the quarter-finals.
A few days later, history would repeat itself with Brazil. Also in the quarterfinals, the Brazilian team dominated the match and opened the scoring in extra time, with a goal from Neymar.
The number 10 became, at the time, the greatest scorer in the history of the Seleção alongside Pelé. However, the advantage was short-lived: Bruno Petković equalized for Croatia in the 117th minute.
On penalties, Croatia once again showed efficiency. Rodrygo stopped Livaković and Marquinhos hit the post, decreeing yet another Brazilian elimination.
No more postponing
After two World Cups with the clash “hitting the post”, now, the two teams meet again on a decisive stage. The round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup is the chance for one of them to break the “repeated destiny” and move forward in the tournament.
