Chris Sutton
Former England forward on BBC Radio 5 Live at Houston Stadium

Well, small ambitions, but Japan are a team that don't surprise anybody any more. Everyone knows the quality they have. Brazil know they're in for one hell of a game.

Alistair Bruce-Ball
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator at Houston Stadium

The stadium is awash with the bright yellow Brazilian shirts. They absolutely dominate the eye.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

The players are out on the pitch in Houston.

And it’s a sea of yellow inside the stadium that welcomes them.

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Tim Vickery
Of all the match-ups, this is the most fascinating

Carlo Ancelotti is very happy in his own very calm way. He is an oasis of calm in the chaos which is Brazil during a World Cup. He always treated the group phase a bit of a phoney war. He has been inching towards his team and he thinks he is there.

He thinks the Scotland game was the best they have played under him, where he has found the balance between freeing the attacking talent and being able to protect his team. But that might be tested by Japan. Japan really are a rising force and Brazil won't underestimate them.

Image source, Getty Images

Japan can perhaps take some inspiration from their most recent meeting with Brazil here.

In October last year in Tokyo, Japan came from two goals down to defeat the South American giants 3-2.

Carlo Ancelotti's side took the lead on 26 minutes when Paulo Henrique fired a powerful strike home before Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli doubled their lead six minutes later.

But Japan staged a brilliant fightback after the break.

They were level soon after the hour mark thanks to goals from ex-Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino and Keito Nakamura, before Ayase Ueda's powerful header in the 71st minute clinched victory for the hosts.

However, this is their only win in 14 meetings with Brazil across all competitions (D2, L11).

Jen Beattie
Former Scotland defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think Japan are much more controlled in their defensive structure - 12 of their 15 goals have come in the second half. They are very good at growing into games. When they win the ball back they are so good at moving forward quickly.

If you are going to beat Brazil, who defensively in some spells lack a bit of discipline, if you're going to beat them that's how you do it - you go fast, forward in those counter-attacking moments. That's what is special about this Japanese team who have been reaching knockout phases regularly. They are used to these moments now.

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Only two of Asia's nine representatives have made it to the knockout stages of this World Cup.

In comparison, all but one of the 10 African nations made it through the group stage.

From 27 games played, Asia's nine representatives only managed three victories at 0.67 points per game. African nations, meanwhile, played 30 matches and won 10 at 1.33 points per game.

In the final round of group games there were five Africa v Asia matches crucial for qualification. Asian countries did not win any of them, losing four.

Four years ago, Australia, Japan and South Korea made the first knockout round. This time it is just Australia and Japan.

• Read the full story here

Dion Dublin
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's not straightforward, let me tell you. I think Japan play some really good football, really physical as well. So, they'll be happy to take on Brazil.

Brazil will want to slow it down, play the beautiful game, but Japan will have a say in this game, without a doubt.

Japan finished second behind the Netherlands in Group F to book their place in the last 32.

They began their World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against the Dutch, with Daichi Kamada's late header rescuing a deserved point for Samurai Blue.

They were even more impressive in their second outing, as a 4-0 win against Tunisia knocked the African nation out of the tournament before they were held 1-1 by Graham Potter's Sweden through an Anthony Elanga equaliser.

However, that was enough for them to progress and book a meeting with five-time winners Brazil.

Image source, Getty Images

Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic winner in the second minute of injury time as co-hosts Canada defeated South Africa 1-0 yesterday to move into the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time.

In a scrappy game short of clear-cut chances, and with extra time looming, Eustaquio provided a rare moment of quality with a superb low strike from the edge of the penalty area to give Canada the victory.

Canada had lost all six of their World Cup matches before this tournament, but this victory continued a superb competition for them.

They defeated Qatar 6-0 on 18 June for their first success in a finals and this was another special moment for Jesse Marsch's side as they became the first nation through to the last 16, where they will play either the Netherlands or Morocco in Houston on Saturday, 4 July.

Lucas Leiva
Former Brazil midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

The last game was a good message to the World Cup that Brazil might have found their feet. The first game wasn't good, second game I don't think we could judge much. But against Scotland had a very good game.

Scotland gave some goals away, but Brazil showed what they are able to do and I think they will grow in the competition. Japan will be a tough game but I am more optimistic than when I saw the first game.

Brazil have been eliminated in four of their last six World Cup knockout stage matches.

That is more times than in their previous 17 combined (three).

They have not bowed out in the first knockout stage at a World Cup since 1990, when they lost 1-0 to Argentina in the last 16.

Former Brazil international Lucas Leiva compares prime Neymar and Vinicius Jr across a range of categories.

Scott Mullen
BBC Sport Scotland

Brazil's all-time leading goalscorer Neymar made his first appearance of this World Cup in their victorious final group-stage fixture against Scotland in Miami on 24 June.

Almost three years had passed since Neymar last pulled on the shirt of his country. Injury had robbed him of so much. An anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus tear in a World Cup qualifier in October 2023 ruled the forward out of selection for so long, with a lack of game time as he recovered not helping.

When he finally made his much-awaited return as a substitute in the 76th minute with Brazil already 3-0 up, there was pure and unadulterated fandom in all its blazing yellow glory.

"Neymar needs no ulterior motivation. Everyone loves him here," said Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"He needs no motivation to wear the colours of Brazil. Neymar is still the same, and at 34, he has the same passion he had as a kid."

• Read the full story here

The World Cup is taking shape - and I am happy to say the Brazil team is too.

It looks like Carlo Ancelotti has found his best XI and we have improved and gained momentum and confidence with each game of the group stage.

We are getting better at the right time and we have to be, because Japan will be a big challenge in the last 32.

It feels like we are on track, and a big part of that is down to Matheus Cunha. He is the key to a lot of what we are doing so well.

It is quite funny to be saying this because usually the Brazil public expects a classic number nine to be leading our attack, and Cunha is different to what the fans are normally looking for.

He is more of a nine-and-a-half. Someone who can play like a nine, but also a 10 to link play and create for others.

So he is not like Ronaldo, Adriano or Romario, some of our great strikers of the past 30 years, but because he can also score goals - he has three so far at this tournament - he is not a playmaker, either.

Instead, he gives the team something that Brazil have maybe never had before, in terms of a centre-forward anyway.

• Read former Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva's column in full here