Vinícius Júnior arrived in Singapore with just one goal for Real Madrid all season. His influence in the final third had waned and questions were growing over his place in José Mourinho’s starting XI. With Brazil, he answered his critics by scoring twice against Japan.
Carlo Ancelotti started Vinícius alongside Raphinha and Estêvão against a Japan side looking to avenge their defeat in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, when Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time winner for Brazil.
Takefusa Kubo and Keito Nakamura put Japan two goals up with strikes in the 15th and 19th minutes. Vinícius pulled one back in the 33rd, beating Zion Suzuki with a long-range effort into the top corner.
The Real Madrid winger equalised in the 75th minute with a spectacular strike. After receiving the ball from Bruno Guimarães following a short corner, he cut inside from the left and fired from outside the box, his shot bouncing off both posts before going in.
Endrick nearly completed the comeback when his effort came back off the woodwork. But substitute Tatsuhiro Sakamoto struck in the 90th minute to give Japan a 3–2 win after Vinícius had dragged Brazil back from two goals down.
The brace came after six straight appearances for Madrid without a goal or an assist. Vinícius has one goal, against Real Sociedad, and three assists in 12 matches this season. He has neither scored nor assisted in four Champions League appearances.
His dribbling numbers have also dipped. Across league and Champions League matches, he has averaged 1.63 successful dribbles per 90 minutes this season, down from 3.27 in 2023–24. He also served a four-match domestic ban for pulling William Saliba’s hair, giving Yan Diomande a chance to strengthen his claim to a starting spot on the left.
Vinícius rounds off the international break against Singapore on Tuesday before returning to Madrid to prepare for the November 21 match against Celta Vigo, where he will have a chance to carry his scoring form with Brazil into club football.
