Itakura back, Neymar on the bench as Japan face Brazil

Brazil wait in the Round of 32

This is it. Japan face Brazil tonight in a knockout match at the World Cup, a chance to write history (1) (3). The Dutch outlet Nieuwsblad framed it simply: Japan want to be the giant-killers (3).

Ko Itakura is back in the lineup after missing the last match (6). And in a twist, Neymar is expected to start on the bench, Brazilian media report he may not be in the XI (6).

The referee is César Arturo Ramos from Mexico (8). Kickoff is at 1:00 PM ET, and you can watch free via FourFourTwo's stream guide (9).

Vinícius Júnior: five finals left

Brazil's Vinícius Júnior set the stakes plainly before the match: "The most important moment of the competition has come, there are still five finals ahead" (4).

That is the mentality Japan are walking into, a Brazil side treating every knockout match as a final. But your team have earned this stage. Former Botafogo player and Brazilian analyst Lúcio Flávio called it "a very complicated match" for Brazil (5). He is not wrong.

Fan reactions

The mood among Japan supporters is quiet confidence, not arrogance, just belief. Graham Potter's comment about inspiring Asian rivals is doing the rounds, and fans are rallying behind the idea that this team carries more than just Japan's hopes. Join the conversation on r/worldcup.