Brazil loses 3-2 to Japan despite Vinicius brace with red cards for Ancelotti and Raphinha

SINGAPORE (AP) — Two spectacular goals from Vinicius Jr. weren't enough to prevent Brazil from losing 3-2 to Japan in a feisty international friendly in Singapore on Saturday that ended with red cards for Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti and Raphinha.

Brazil eliminated Japan in the round of 32 at the World Cup in June, and Japan appeared intent on revenge by racing into an early two-goal lead.

Takefusa Kubo opened the scoring in the 15th minute, running from the halfway line to beat Pedro Morisco with a low shot. Four minutes later, Lyon’s Keito Nakamura extended the lead, controlling a cross from Shuto Nakano before shooting home.

Vinicius Jr. reduced the deficit shortly after the half-hour with a special strike. The Real Madrid star collected a pass from Bruno Guimaraes outside the area and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

The forward scored again with 15 minutes remaining, cutting in from the left and hitting a long-range shot that struck the inside of the right post before crossing the line off the left post.

Tatsuhiro Sakamoto won the match for Japan in the first minute of injury time with the Coventry player pouncing on a loose ball and scoring from close range.

Brazilian protests over what they saw as a foul in the buildup led to red cards for Ancelotti and Barcelona star Raphinha, who was watching from the sidelines after being substituted.

It was Japan’s second win over Brazil in 13 months and its first on foreign soil.

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Japan's Takumi Minamino, left, battles for the ball with Brazil's João Gomes during a friendly soccer match between Japan and Brazil in Singapore, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah)

Japan's Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, and his team mate celebrates after scoring during a friendly soccer match between Japan and Brazil in Singapore, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah)

Japan's Junya Ito, left, battles for the ball with Brazil's João Gomes during a friendly soccer match between Japan and Brazil in Singapore, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah)

Brazil's Vinicius Junior celebrates after goal during a friendly soccer match between Japan and Brazil in Singapore, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/David Hu)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rory McIlroy had a day to forget at the season-ending World Tour Championship on Saturday, ending four shots off the lead and seeing Race to Dubai rival Eugenio Chacarra haul himself back into contention.

Tyrrell Hatton held the lead at the end of the third round after shooting 4-under 68 to move to 9 under overall, one stroke ahead of Victor Perez (67).

As well as attempting to win the World Tour Championship for a fourth time (after 2012, ’15 and ’24), McIlroy is seeking to move past Chacarra in the points list to secure the year-long Race to Dubai title, which crowns the No. 1 player on the European tour.

World No. 2 McIlroy started the day with a share of the 36-hole lead with Hatton. The Northern Irishman had an eagle on the par-5 No. 7 before four bogeys in an even par 72, dropping to 5 under overall and a four-way tie for fourth place, including current Race to Dubai leader Chacarra (68).

Chacarra — a 26-year-old Spaniard in his first full season on the tour — leads McIlroy in the Race to Dubai standings by nearly 534 points. On offer this week is 2,000 points for the winner, 1,335 for second place, 752 for third place, then fewer and fewer for the minor places.

McIlroy is chasing a record-tying eighth Race to Dubai title for his career alongside Colin Montgomerie, who won the award when it was called the “Order of Merit.”

See AP’s full golf coverage here

Eugenio Chacarra of Spain plays his second shot on the 16th hole during the third round of the World Tour Golf Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his second shot on the 16th hole during the third round of the World Tour Golf Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Tyrrell Hatton of England, left, and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland line up putts on the ninth green during the third round of the World Tour Golf Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts on the fifth green during the third round of the World Tour Golf Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks on from the 16th fairway during the third round of the World Tour Golf Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)