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

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.

The Brazil star, who has hit new heights for the Selecao in the group stages, told TV programme Domingao com Huck: “This is a generation that’s working hard to take Brazil back to the top. That sixth star is taking time to come. We’ve learned a lot over the past few years.

“Many of the players were part of the last Copa América. [Brazil head coach Carlo] Ancelotti has given us freedom, calm, and hope that we can get back to the summit.

“Having Neymar, Casemiro, Alex Sandro, Danilo, and Marquinhos – players with so much experience – gives us the space for the younger guys to express ourselves. I’m only 25, but we’ve got a very strong group coming through with Endrick and Rayan…”

Neymar’s exact shape remains unclear – he certainly didn’t look his sharpest when coming on when the results was assured against Scotland – and you wonder what state tonight’s game must be in for him to be brought on.

Either Brazil are comfortably ahead or in desperate need – should it be close he will probably remain in his seat.

For all the talk of Japan, along with Morocco, being the best placed team to break the rule of Europe and South America, this is a good time to remember that they have never won a knockout match at the World Cup.

This, then, feels vital to the longer-term plans, solidifying the progress they have evidently made in recent years.

Brazil are unchanged from the team that hammered Scotland in Miami, while Japan have made four changes from the drab draw against Sweden

Defenders Shogo Taniguchi and Takehiro Tomiyasu, midfielder Kaishu Sano and winger Junya Ito are back in the XI.