Brazil vs Japan LIVE: Latest World Cup score and update with Neymar on bench despite comeback from injury – UK Times

15’ – Casemiro is booked for a silly challenge on Junya Ito about 20 yards from Alisson’s goal, sliding in and chopping down the Japan forward. Three players are standing over it while the wall forms.

14’ – Cunha tries his luck from the edge of the box and brings a save from Suzuki, conceding a corner even if it looked like the shot was going wide. It is worked short and quick, ending with Bruno firing wide.

12’ – Sano is whistled for a second foul on Vinicius, who is demanding a yellow card with his right hand, never a nice thing to see from a player.

Although the replays show that Sano does land on the Brazil star’s ankle and the Italian referee does brandish a booking.

10’ – Brazil are touching 80% possession so far. But Japan are so well-drilled that they are not leaving any gaps to exploit.

For all the expectation of excitement, we may be about to see a tense enough encounter unless there is a goal soon.

Bruno takes a shot from range that clatters Paqueta in the face, sending his team-mate to the floor momentarily. The earlier hamstring twinge seems to be fine.

7’ – Sano wins the ball fairly from Vini Jr but the referee gives Brazil a soft free kick on the left wing, about 40 yards out. It’s sent deep but Suzuki is quickly off the line again to claim it. He fumbles it at first but then gathers.

5’ – Brazil have started well, Japan sitting back in a compact 5-4-1.

Vini tries to get on the end of a long pass but Suzuki races off his line to punch away before the Real Madrid star can get to it.

The atmosphere sounds electric over the TV feed.

2’ – Bruno wins a corner with a side-footed attempt on goal that deflects off Taniguchi.

The Newcastle man takes it and it is headed away at the front post.

1’ – One minute in and Paqueta is cluthching his right hamstring having backed into Tomiyasu. He continues for now but looks uncomfortable.

1’ – We’re underway in Houston.

Brazil are in yellow, blue shorts and white socks – their classic outfit – and play from left to right as we watch.

Japan will play in white pinstriped tops, black shorts and socks.

Both squads are gathered around the centre circle, the nerves are jangling and it’s almost time to go.