Japan 1-3 Brazil: 5 Talking Points

Brazil continued their fine form post the World Cup qualifiers with a clinical attacking display in a facile 3-1 defeat of Japan in the neutral venue of Stade Pierre-Mauroy in France.

PSG starlet Neymar took the initiative from the spot, before missing another just six minutes later. However, it was the only blot on an otherwise perfect evening for the Canaries, as Marcelo and Gabriel Jesus piled on with a goal apiece, thereby taking a commanding 3-0 lead at the break.

Tomoaki Makino pulled one back for Japan, but it was too little too late as the Samba Boys sauntered to another victory. Here are the major talking points from the friendly:

#5 Brazil continue to ride the wave of confidence

Brazili — Brazil continued their merry ways against a hapless Japan side

Brazil's qualification to Russia 2018 seemed to slip away from their clasp in the blink of an eye as just two victories from the opening six qualifying games set the alarm bells ringing. A subsequent group stage exit at the Copa America Centenario literally opened the Pandora's box, as Brazil seemed to have hit the lowest of the lows in years.

Out went Dunga and in came Tite. And so did the happy days for Brazil football team. Not only did they successfully revive themselves, but finished the qualification at the pole position.

Some subtle tactical tweaks, coupled with the revival of some stellar names lifted Brazil out of the lurch. And here they are, just a year on from the calamity, steamrolling past every hurdle on their way.

Against Japan too, the Latin-American behemoths shimmied down the opposition half as if laced with rollerskates.

The fiery attacking display had the Asians by the short and curlies and comprehensively rode their way to a victory. A bland second-half may force you into second thoughts, but the team had finished the work that they came for, well before the half-time whistle.

The five-time world champions will once again enter the World Cup as favourites, and the dress rehearsals for the same have begun, and on an encouraging note at that.

#4 Neymar just loves scoring against Japan

Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar boasts an imperious scoring record with Brazil, striking 53 times in just 82 appearances, putting himself firmly on course to surpass Pele's all time-Brazilian record haul of 77 goals in near future.

So whilst he loves scoring for the Canaries, he loves scoring against Japan even more! Figure this - 8 goals in 4 appearances against the Samurai Blue. And it's the highest that Neymar has scored against a single team in international football.

Although Japan were spared the ennui of watching him bag another glut of goals like in 2014, when the former Barcelona man netted all the goals in the 4-0 rout, he was on target today, nonetheless, gnawing at the Asian outfit like a mischievous spirit.

Neymar coolly slotted home the first penalty of the game when he sent the Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima the wrong way, for his eight strike against them.

By now, Japan have grown sick of the sight of him, having seen him pester them to the hilt everytime they play the Canaries. His poor effort in the second attempt that Kawashima parried away may have come as a respite, but the terror that Neymar has caused the Japanese in recent times, is undeniable.

With the draws for the 2018 World Cup group stages right around the corner, Brazil are the one team that Japan would hope to avoid at all costs.

#3 Chinks in the Japanese armour exposed

Ever since claiming the 2011 Asia cup, the Samurai has seen his sword lose some edginess; Japan have been on the wane and today, they aren't even the best in Asia anymore. The Vahid Halilhodzic-led outfit's quality has receded in the years following their Asian glory and in the friendly to Brazil, left a lot to be desired.

Whilst the gulf in class between the sides is mammoth, the way Japan meekly surrendered to Brazil's high-octane counter-attacking style would worry the aforementioned Bosnian gaffer ahead of the Russian megaevent.

In the blistering opening 45 minutes when the Canaries ran the rings around Japan, the latter wilted, forcing into cheap errors at the back and diving into nasty fouls.

The defensive muddle suggested the extent to which the Samurai Blue succumbed, and it was only after Brazil's relatively laid-back approach post the interval that allowed them to claw their way back into it and give some breathing space.

The handful of efforts pilfered in the first 45 turned into genuine attacks as Tomoaki Makino pulled one back for the beleaguered Japanese side when he headed Ideguchi's cross into the back of the net. That salvaged some pride for Halilhodzic's men.

Japan are no longer the force that they once were, and was evident from today's showings that the gap between them and the rest of the elites of the world has grown wider than ever.

#2 Gabriel Jesus is a star in the making

Manchester City's £27 million acquisition of Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras in January this year raised a few eyebrows, for the Brazilian was an untested quantity in the Premier League and only 20-years old.

Given the attacking riches in City's roster, many expected him to fall through the cracks and not make, but fast forward by 10 months, and he's the one leading the line for both City as well as Brazil.

Jesus showed tremendous promise in the final 6 months of last season, and has successfully built on it in the new season with a fine run of form for both club and country. In the match against Japan, the young striker tapped home a third of the evening - his eight for Brazil in 12 games - demonstrating his pure poacher instincts.

In a sizzling counter-attacking move by Brazil, Danilo sent in a low, defence slicing cross to Jesus, who made no mistake from close range. It was one of the easiest goals he's scored so far in his career, but there's no denying his precision.

Jesus has often displaced Aguero for a starting berth in Pep Guardiola's set-up in the new season, and hasn't disappointed with the faith pinned on him. With his stock rising by the day, Jesus continues to make staggering strides towards stardom.

#1 Tie against Brazil will be a great opportunity for England to experiment

This was a nigh-perfect Brazil side filled to the brim with vim and vigour. Having recaptured their best form under Tite, the Canaries have been on a roll, and the distinct takeaway from the match in Lille today was perhaps their ability to turn defence into attack in the drop of a hat.

With Marcelo and Danilo flanking the wings, they had the license to push forward and ignite counter-attacks that baffled the Japanese. Every time they made an effort to force Brazil on the back foot, were themselves compelled to track back into their own halves on account of a swift counter.

Now that was one astute tactical display that was executed to perfection, and England, who welcome them to Wembley on Tuesday, must take note of this. Manager Gareth Southgate is out to experiment with his line-up a little in these international friendlies, and no better opportunity to conduct one than against this well-oiled Brazil side.

The Three Lions are packed to the rafters with star names in their ranks too, but somehow, haven't found the right formation. Or maybe, just the right formula to kick them into gear. And that's what Southgate is determined to rectify.

With Brazil having hit the peak, it is upon England to bring forth their strongest selves to the table, and test their mettle ahead of the World Cup.