Brazil’s bid for a record-extending sixth World Cup title reaches the knockout stages on Monday evening.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side topped Group C, ahead of 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and will be pitted against a Japan side who finished as runners-up behind the Netherlands in Group F.
This will be the 14th meeting between the two sides, with Japan having claimed just a single victory over the Selecao, which came when the teams met last October.
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ITV’s complete line-up of commentators, pundits and presenters for Brazil vs Japan
The match kicked off at 6pm UK time, with live coverage available on ITV1 and online at ITVX. Mark Pougatch will be at the helm in the ITV studio, where he is joined by a heavyweigh panel of pundits: Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira, who have kissed and made up since their high-profile on pitch clashes in the late 90s, and Ange Postecoglou who managed in Japan successfully for a number of years.
ITV’s lead commentator Sam Matterface will be up on the gantry at the NRG Stadium in Houston, which usually houses the NFL’s Houston Texans.
Matterface will be joined by his usual partner-in-crime for this one, as former Arsenal and England defender Lee Dixon will be on co-commentary duties.
The winners of this tie will face the victors of Tuesday night’s Ivory Coast vs Norway match in the last-16 on Sunday evening.