Shoya Nakajima gave the Blue Samurai a 15th minute lead in Belo Horizonte while substitute Daizen Maeda had a late chance to win it when put through one-on-one with goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez.

Angel Mena's equaliser on 35 minutes and teenage sensation Takefusa Kubo's potential injury-time winner being ruled out by VAR meant Japan came up short.

They arrived at the Copa America as an unknown quantity as far as the locals were concerned but despite losing two of their three matches, Qatar proved competitive enough to ensure they won't be a surprise package next year when making their second appearance in the South American showpiece.

Japan had to defeat Ecuador to seal a place in the knockout stage and young sensation Takefusa Kubo had the ball in the net deep into added time but a dramatic winner was ruled out for offside after consulting VAR.

The draw enabled Paraguay to take the final quarter-final spot as one of the best two third-placed finishers.

Both teams, who contested the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 final which Qatar ultimately won, have shown great spirit against South America's best teams.

Qatar began their Group B campaign by fighting back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Paraguay before a late Duvan Zapata goal denied them a point against Colombia in their next match.

Japan, playing as an invited team, are in Brazil for the Copa America with a squad largely consisting players likely to feature in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

After opening their Group C campaign with a 4-0 defeat against Chile, Moriyasu's team showed great determination to match six-time Copa America champions Uruguay.

Koji Miyoshi twice gave Japan the lead only for Luis Suarez and Jose Jimenez to pull the South Americans level.

Miyoshi twice fired Japan into the lead only for Uruguay to level through a penalty from Luis Suarez and a second-half header from Jose Gimenez.

The draw means Japan have an outside chance of reaching the quarter-finals from Group C, with one game remaining against Ecuador.

Vargas, who plays for Mexico club Tigres UANL, netted twice in the second half as defending champions Chile gradually overpowered a skillful but limited Japan, who are playing in the South American showpiece as one of two invited teams from Asia.