Brazil 2-1 Japan: Martinelli’s late strike sends five-time champions into last 16

Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner as Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in a thrilling Round of 32 clash at NRG Stadium on Monday, booking their place in the World Cup last 16.

Japan made the early breakthrough when Kaishu Sano fired the Samurai Blue ahead just before the half-hour mark with a superb solo effort, capitalising on a loose Brazilian pass and shaky defending from Casemiro. Brazil struggled to find rhythm in the first half and offered little going forward as Japan held firm.

The second half told a different story. Ancelotti’s side came out with renewed urgency, and their pressure paid off in the 56th minute when Casemiro powered home a header from a Gabriel cross to level the score, having earlier seen a similar header cleared off the line.

With the match locked at 1-1, both sides searched for a winner. Vinícius Júnior looked to have produced a moment of magic, but his effort was kept out by a fine save from Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, the ball cannoning back off the post. Japan, sensing an opportunity to take the tie to extra time, sat deeper to protect their point.

But deep into stoppage time, Brazil struck the decisive blow. Bruno Guimarães slipped a pass through to Martinelli, who finished low past Suzuki to snatch a 2-1 victory in the sixth minute of added time, sparking jubilant celebrations among the Brazilian contingent.

Statistically, the result reflected Brazil’s dominance in the second half, with the five-time champions finishing the match with an expected-goals tally of 1.72 to Japan’s 0.23.

The win extends an excellent run of form for Brazil, who arrived at the knockout stage unbeaten in Group C. They opened with a draw against Morocco before following up with comfortable 3-0 victories over Haiti and Scotland to top the group. Vinícius Júnior has been in scintillating form with four goals so far in the tournament, while Neymar made his first appearance of the World Cup in the win over Scotland.

For Japan, the defeat continues a recurring pattern of knockout-stage disappointment, having also exited at the Round of 16 stage in both 2018 and 2022. The Samurai Blue were without playmaker Takefusa Kubo, who had been absent since the tournament opener through injury.

Brazil will now turn their attention to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of the Côte d’Ivoire-Norway tie on 5 July at New York New Jersey Stadium, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side continue their pursuit of a record-extending sixth World Cup title.