Brazil Crash Out in the Round of 16 and Shiogai's 'Are They Still Strong?' Call Comes True

Why This Topic Landed in Japan

Brazil, who had knocked Japan out of the tournament, themselves fell 1-2 to Norway (two goals from Haaland) in the Round of 16 — their worst World Cup result since the 2006 Germany tournament. Before the match, Japan's young forward Kento Shiogai had said, "Brazil used to be really strong, but how about now? Their strength hasn't changed, though," drawing a furious backlash from Brazilian fans on social media. When Brazil went out, the mood flipped: Shiogai's Instagram filled with Brazilians writing "you were right" and "sorry, Brazil wasn't the same as before." The satisfying reversal of a young player who had been mocked being vindicated made for irresistible content — but it mixed with self-deprecation, since it was Japan who had already lost to that very Brazil.

Key Reaction Themes

• Shiogai vindicated and the great about-face — Fans hailed "a beautiful payoff" and a "come-from-behind win," and enjoyed how readily Brazilians turned to apologizing.
• The cold "but Japan lost too" self-mockery — Others poured cold water on the gloating, pointing out that Japan had lost a tight game to a Brazil everyone now calls weak.
• Neymar's roasting and the decline of the Brazilian empire — Criticism of Neymar as the scapegoat sat alongside structural takes on how an old-school giant no longer holds up against modern physical football.

What Japanese Netizens Are Saying

Shiogai's "Prediction" Comes True and the Apologies Flood In

A welcome reversal: the mocked remark proved right, and Brazilian apologies came pouring in.

Sources: Yahoo! news, 2ch

Comments:

• "It's all 'you were right, sorry' comments now"
• "Shiogai's come-from-behind win, lol"
• "'Cunha was signaling he'd be heading home after the fifth match' — this is genuinely hilarious"
• "Brazilians are so honest, huh"
• "Good on them for apologizing"
• "Palms spinning a full 180, lol"
• "A come-from-behind win, lol"
• "Being able to apologize so quickly is impressive — Japan's net-right could never"

The Cold "But Japan Lost Too" Self-Mockery

Against the pile-on toward Brazil, some turn the joke back on a Japan that lost to that same team.

Comments:

• "But Japan lost, though"
• "But it was Japan that lost to that self-deprecating Brazil — barely able to win the ball, mostly defending, and still getting peppered with shots"
• "But it was Japan that lost to that weakened Brazil"
• "And yet the fact that Japan is total garbage remains unchanged"
• "How much of a pathetic little slug is Japan for losing to that Brazil (´・ω・`)"
• "Japanese people going 'Brazil's weak!' — it's a national embarrassment, I really wish they'd stop"
• "Say that after you actually win"
• "Coming from the side that lost, it just sounds like sour grapes, though"

Neymar's Roasting and the Decline of the Brazilian Empire

Criticism of the scapegoated Neymar alongside takes on Brazil's fade in the physical modern game.

YouTube

Sources: 2ch

Comments:

• "He's apparently getting torched back in Brazil for wasting time while losing and becoming the scapegoat"
• "Apparently that's four straight World Cups with a goal — off a pathetic garbage-time penalty"
• "In the end, all Neymar ever won in his national-team career is an Olympics — honestly pretty weak"
• "Coaching and trash-talk aside, Neymar playing is what you all wanted, right?"
• "Norway looked dominant, especially in the second half — old-school football just can't beat modern physical football"
• "Honestly, once it was a close game against lowly Japan, you knew there was no title coming"
• "They used to feel like the kings, but lately it feels like even reaching the last 8 is hard for them"
• "Brazil's defenders getting bulldozed by Norway's players — do you need a genius on Messi's level to stand up to physical elites?"