November 15, 2026
The Japanese national team snatched a dramatic victory in stoppage time with a goal scored by Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, amid widespread objections from the Brazilian national team players and technical staff to the authenticity of the goal.
The match witnessed the participation of Brazilian star Rafinha as a starter before he was substituted in approximately the 70th minute, but his presence extended to dominate the events after his exit. The television broadcast showed him kicking a water bottle towards the photographers, and having a verbal altercation with Japanese player Ritsu Doan, before receiving the red card in the 90+2 minute following his sharp objection to the referee, which raised speculation about his intention to get the expulsion.
ESPN highlighted the actions of the Brazilian captain, which brought him widespread criticism, especially since his expulsion came as a result of protest and not physical interference. For his part, Rafinha apologized after the match, criticizing several refereeing decisions, most notably the presence of a handball prior to Japan’s first goal, turning a blind eye to a penalty kick for Brazil, as well as protesting a violation against his teammate Joao Gomez before the decisive goal.
This expulsion resulted in Rafinha’s absence from the next friendly match against Singapore scheduled for Tuesday, in addition to the absence of coach Carlo Ancelotti from the technical area for the same penalty after he objected to the referee. Despite Rafinha’s right to return early to Barcelona to rest, the Brazilian Federation decided – according to Rodrigo Caetano, who is responsible for the men’s national teams – that the player would remain with the delegation in Singapore as one of the team’s leaders.
After the end of the international break, Rafinha is preparing to return to Barcelona to play a series of decisive confrontations under the leadership of coach Hansi Flick. The Catalan team will face Villarreal in the Spanish League on November 22, then travel to meet Sabah of Azerbaijan in the Champions League on November 25. Barcelona will host Deportivo La Coruna in the league on November 29, before hosting Atletico Madrid on December 2, concluding this difficult series by facing Manchester City in the Champions League on December 8.
