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Brazil defeated Japan 1-0 in a friendly Monday thanks to a penalty by Neymar in the 77th minute after he was tripped in the box on a rainy night at Tokyo’s new National Stadium, Associated Press reported.

It was Neymar’s 74th goal for the national team, leaving him three short of matching the record held by Pele. He also scored two penalties last week in a 5-1 victory over South Korea as Brazil tested itself on an Asian tour against two teams who qualified for the World Cup.

Japan is now winless against Brazil in 13 matches (11 losses and 2 draws). Brazil also stretched its unbeaten run to 13 games. Its last loss came just under a year ago to Argentina in the Copa America final.

Defender Marquinhos knows Brazil was fortunate to get away with the narrow victory.

“We expected this to be a tougher match, but we also played better against South Korea,” Marquinhos said. “We made some mistakes that gave them confidence. This is a good test against a team that is ready for the World Cup.”

Brazil, an early favorite along with defending champion France, is grouped with Cameroon, Switzerland and Serbia at the World Cup. Japan was drawn in the toughest group and must face Germany and Spain in Qatar. Costa Rica or New Zealand will fill the other place, according to Associated Press.

“Sometime in the World Cup all you need is to win 1-0, and that’s what we did today,” the Brazilian defender added.

Brazil coach Tite said his team is “much better prepared” than it was four years ago going to the World Cup in Russia. Tite took over that team after Dunga was fired in 2016, two years ahead of the World Cup.

“The previous cycle (2016-18) brought me the experience,” he said. “I don’t underestimate that. I didn’t think I would be this long with the national team.”

Tite said he had hoped to play England or France before the World Cup, which proved impossible. He said he’s now looking for a team ranked in the top 30 for a match, perhaps in September.

Brazil had most of the possession and had several chances to score more goals, with Neymar missing a couple of opportunities from open play.

Brazil made four changes from the team that defeated South Korea. Dropped to the bench were goalkeeper Weverton, defender Thiago Silva, left back Alex Sandro and striker Richarlison. In their places, Alisson started in goal, Eder Militao and Guilherme in defense, and Vinicius Junior at striker, Associated Press reported.

Lucas Paqueta hit the post just a minute into the match, Fred hit the crossbar 10 minutes later, and Raphinha forced Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda to make the first save of the match from a close-range shot about 20 minutes into the game.

Neymar had his best chance midway through the first half but Gonda dived to his left to stop the effort. Gonda denied him again just before halftime, while Raphinha also missed a free kick late in the half.

Japan posed some threats early with Junya Ito trying to cross balls in from the right wing, forcing several corners, and also pressed early in the second half without managing to test goalkeeper Alisson, who had a quiet night.

In another friendly between Asian and South American teams, South Korea beat Chile 2-0. Hwang Hee-chan and Son Heung-min scored a goal each at home in Daejeon, according to Associated Press.

Brazil routed South Korea 5-1 last week.

Wales has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 64 years after beating Ukraine in a play-off for this year's finals in Qatar, BBC reported.

Wales beat Ukraine 1-0 in Cardiff after captain Gareth Bale's free-kick was deflected into the visiting goal by Ukraine skipper Andriy Yarmolenko.

Wales will share Group B with USA, Iran and England at November's World Cup.

Fans are celebrating with many telling BBC Wales they never thought they would see this moment in their lifetime.

Wales' first minister, Michael Sheen, Gabby Logan, and a wealth of Welsh celebrities joined supporters from around the world praising the team.

"It's amazing what we can achieve when the whole country comes together," said Mark Drakeford, according to BBC.

"Commiserations to Ukraine - despite our differences on the field, Wales stands with you."

Fans leaving the Cardiff City Stadium after the game in the pouring rain sang and cheered as they celebrated Wales qualifying for the finals in Qatar in late November.

Ukraine fans had praised the home supporters for their welcome in Cardiff while the Welsh FA had invited the UK's Ukrainian ambassador to the game in support to the people of Ukraine in the war with Russia.

As well as holding banners in solidarity to Ukraine before kick-off, fans enjoyed a rousing rendition of Welsh football anthem Yma o Hydfrom folk singer Dafydd Iwan, BBC reported.

Skipper Bale has said their win over Ukraine is the "greatest result in history of Welsh football"and that sentiment was echoed by fan Clive Frances who hailed Wales' "amazing" achievement.

Nepal defeated Qatar by 79 runs in the ICC U-19 Women T-20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. 

Chasing the target of 118 runs set by Nepal, Qatar managed to collect 38 runs losing all the wickets in 15.4 overs. The match was played at UKM Oval in Malaysia today. 

Qatari skipper Sachi Dhadwal and Shrutiben Kamaleshbhai Rana made 14 runs each. 

Nepal's Shrishti Jaishi took three wickets. Likewise, Anu Kadayat, Kritika Marasini and Sneha Mahara claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, Nepal accumulated 117 runs in 20 overs losing at the cost of three wickets. Ashma Pulami Magar scored not out 32 runs, Shristi Jaishi made not out 23 runs while Sanu Rajbanshi and Anjali Bishwokarma made 21 and 11 runs respectively. 

Likewise, Sachi Dhadwal and Alina Khan took one wicket each.  

Along with Nepal, hosts Malaysia, UAE, Thailand, Bhutan and Qatar are playing the Qualifier. Nepal will meet UAE in the second match on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria shone as Argentina beat Italy at Wembley in the Finalissima - a renewal of the contest between the champions of Europe and South America, BBC reported.

Messi's run and cross set up the opener for Lautaro Martinez, who then turned provider for Di Maria to chip a second.

Substitute Paulo Dybala rounded off a handsome win in injury time.

Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini played the first half of what was his 118th and final international match.

The contest is the first between the two continental champions in 29 years, according to BBC.

It is a revival of the Artemio Franchi Cup, competed for twice before - in 1985, when France beat Uruguay and in 1993, when Argentina beat Denmark on penalties.