Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has urged his players to learn from their mistakes and show greater mental resilience after a stunning 3-2 friendly defeat to Japan on Tuesday.
The Seleção squandered a two-goal lead in Tokyo as Japan mounted an impressive second-half comeback to seal their first-ever victory over the five-time world champions.
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Brazil looked dominant in the first half, with Paulo Henrique and Gabriel Martinelli putting them comfortably ahead.
But defensive lapses and a loss of focus allowed Japan to respond with goals from Takumi Minamino, Keito Nakamura, and Ayase Ueda, leaving Ancelotti fuming over his side’s mental collapse.
“Brazil didn’t have the attitude in the second half to stop Japan’s reaction,” Ancelotti said after the match.
“I am very clear about what happened, the team mentally collapsed after the first mistake. This was the team’s biggest problem.”
The defeat was Ancelotti’s second since taking charge in May, following a 1-0 loss to Bolivia in World Cup qualifying.
It came just days after Brazil had thrashed South Korea 5-0, showing how inconsistent the team remains under the Italian tactician.
Ancelotti stressed that while individual errors won’t cost players their spots, Brazil must quickly develop the mental strength needed for next year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
“We lost our good attitude and positive thinking,” he said.
“The mistakes influenced the team, but it’s better to make these errors now than at the World Cup. We need to learn from what happened in the second half.”
Ancelotti, who is aiming to become the first foreign-born coach to win the World Cup, said he will continue experimenting with his squad as he works to instill the winning mentality Brazil need to reclaim global dominance.
