India, June 30 -- For a man who embodied calmness amid the tension in Houston, Carlo Ancelotti had seen enough.

Brazil had been second best in every department during the opening half - slower to the press, slower to second balls and slower in possession. They monopolised the ball but created very little as Japan's disciplined 5-4-1 block suffocated every passing lane. Kaishu Sano's burst through midfield to score the opener, leaving 34-year-old Casemiro trailing in his wake, perfectly summed up Brazil's struggles.

It was a toothless display from the five-time world champions, who looked a pale shadow of the footballing dynasty they are known to be. Japan stood just 45 minutes away from inflicting Brazil's earliest World Cup exit since ...