Brazil come from behind to beat Japan 2-1 as Martinelli strikes in stoppage time to reach the last 16
Sano put Japan ahead, Casemiro levelled and Gabriel Martinelli struck in the 95th minute to send Brazil into the 2026 World Cup last 16 at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston, one of the 2026 World Cup venues, in a thrilling round-of-32 tie in the knockout stage. The Texan ground, opened in 2002 as the NFL's first stadium with a retractable roof and holding 68,777 spectators, staged a contest the Selecao had to win the hard way, chasing the game and not settling it until stoppage time, sealing their place in the last 16 of this 48-team World Cup staged by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Things turned awkward early for the South American giants. In the 29th minute, Kaoru Sano pounced on a defensive lapse to put Japan ahead and silence the Brazilian masses, rewarding the discipline and bravery of the Asians. Hajime Moriyasu's side, set up in a 3-4-2-1, dropped deep with organisation to protect their lead against the storm that was coming.
Brazil's response carried the stamp of their experience. In the 56th minute, Casemiro equalised from a Gabriel pass to calm the bench of Carlo Ancelotti, who had lined up in a 4-3-3 with Casemiro himself anchoring midfield. The goal sparked a Selecao who poured forward in search of the goal that would take them through.
Just as the draw seemed bound for extra time, up stepped Gabriel Martinelli. In the 95th minute, the winger finished from a Bruno Guimaraes pass to ignite Brazilian euphoria and seal the 2-1 at the death. It was the climax of a tense, scrappy clash, reflected in bookings for Casemiro (14') and Danilo (48') for Brazil and Sano (12'), Daichi Kamada (45') and Suzuki (84') for Japan.
Japan, who had come through a fine group stage, leave the 2026 World Cup feeling they came within touching distance of an upset against one of the leading contenders. Casemiro, named man of the match, embodied the know-how with which Brazil survived a major test. With this hard-fought win, the Selecao advance to the round of 16 of a single-elimination phase where there is no room for error.