Brazil survived a stern examination from Japan to secure a 2-1 victory and advance to the World Cup round of 16, but the performance raised fresh questions about whether this ageing squad has the depth to go the distance in the tournament.

The Seleção laboured for long stretches of the match, unable to impose their game on a well-organised Japan side that gave them genuine difficulty. It took a late goal to seal the result and spare Brazil the embarrassment of an early exit.

A nervy night for the Seleção

Japan were far from passengers in this contest. The Asian side matched Brazil in large portions of the match and drew level to make it 1-1, forcing the five-time world champions to dig deep and find a response.

Brazil eventually produced that response when it mattered most, converting a late chance to move into the knockout rounds. The margin of victory was narrow, and the manner of the win will do little to quiet doubters.

Age concerns linger over Brazil's squad

The central debate surrounding Brazil at this World Cup is a familiar one — their roster leans heavily on veteran players whose best years may be behind them. The squad's collective age has been a topic of scrutiny throughout the build-up to the tournament, and the laboured display against Japan added fuel to that conversation.

Younger squads with greater energy and pressing intensity have targeted Brazil's experienced but physically diminished core, and Japan's display demonstrated that the blueprint exists to trouble them. Whether Brazil can find the consistency and sharpness needed to outmanoeuvre opponents in the knockout rounds remains an open question.

Their path through the round of 16 and beyond will demand significantly more than what was shown here. For a nation that expects nothing less than the trophy, a stuttering group-stage display against Japan will only deepen anxieties heading into the knockout phase.