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World Cup: Brazil's Cunha taunts Japan's Sugawara with 'five titles' gesture after victory

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32, with forward Matheus Cunha gesturing Brazil's five titles.
  • The gesture was a response to Japanese player Kenyu Sugawara's pre-match comments questioning Brazil's current strength.
  • Sugawara expressed regret for not playing and acknowledged the provocation after Japan's elimination.

Brazil advanced to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup by defeating Japan 2-1, a victory that ended with a pointed gesture from Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha. Cunha made a 'five' hand sign, referencing Brazil's record five World Cup titles, in response to comments made by 21-year-old Japanese player Kenyu Sugawara. Sugawara, who remained on the bench for the entire match, had reportedly questioned Brazil's current form before the game.

Sugawara's pre-match remarks, which included statements like "Although they were strong in the past, I don't know about now" and questioning if Neymar was still the same player, apparently displeased some Brazilian players. Following Japan's elimination, Sugawara's Instagram account was flooded with messages from Brazilian fans. Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes was also seen speaking to Sugawara after the match.

I wasn't trying to say Brazil is weak... Brazil is still strong, but I also believe we had a chance to win.

— Kenyu SugawaraThe Japanese player clarified his pre-match comments after his team's elimination.

"I wasn't trying to say Brazil is weak... Brazil is still strong, but I also believe we had a chance to win," Sugawara stated after the game, expressing regret for not getting a chance to play. He acknowledged the post-match provocation, saying, "Since things spread in that way, I think it can't be helped. In the end, we were the ones who lost, and I didn't even get a chance to play in this team, so it's natural for them to provoke like this."

Despite the tension, Sugawara maintained that his intention was not to underestimate Brazil. He emphasized his belief in Japan's potential to win, even while acknowledging Brazil's continued strength. The incident highlights the intense emotions and rivalries that can surface during high-stakes international football tournaments.

Since things spread in that way, I think it can't be helped. In the end, we were the ones who lost, and I didn't even get a chance to play in this team, so it's natural for them to provoke like this.

— Kenyu SugawaraThe Japanese player commented on the post-match provocation from the Brazilian team.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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