Brazil survived a major scare against Japan, but late drama, Carlo Ancelotti’s trust in Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal sent the Seleção into the World Cup last 16.
Brazil suffered, trailed, looked uncomfortable for long stretches and came dangerously close to extra time. Then, in true knockout fashion, one mistake and one ruthless finish changed everything.
Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to become Brazil’s hero, scoring in the 95th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Japan in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup. The result sends Carlo Ancelotti’s team into the last 16, where Brazil will face the winner of Côte d’Ivoire vs Norway.
Japan left the tournament with pride and frustration. Hajime Moriyasu’s side played with intensity, organization and confidence, taking the lead through a brilliant first-half strike from Sano and forcing Brazil into one of its most difficult nights of the tournament.
The opening half was a nightmare for the Seleção. Japan defended compactly, moved the ball with purpose and punished a major mistake from Danilo. Sano took full advantage, producing a superb goal in the 29th minute to give the Samurai Blue a deserved lead.
Brazil struggled to find rhythm. Rayan failed to make an impact, Lucas Paquetá was replaced at halftime by Endrick, and Casemiro looked off the pace in the first 45 minutes, also picking up a yellow card. Many coaches would have taken him off. Ancelotti did not.
That decision became the turning point.
Casemiro, trusted by a manager who knows his leadership and big-game mentality better than anyone, scored the equalizer in the 56th minute and pulled Brazil back into the match. From there, the Seleção began to grow. Vinícius Júnior finally found space and almost produced what could have been one of the goals of the tournament, only to be denied by an extraordinary save from Zion Suzuki.
The Japanese goalkeeper was outstanding. Suzuki kept Japan alive with a series of decisive interventions and gave his team a chance to take the game into extra time. But as Japan dropped deeper and used its bench to protect the result, one late mistake proved fatal.
Tanaka, introduced in the second half, lost a dangerous ball in stoppage time. Bruno Guimarães immediately turned it into a golden assist, showing remarkable composure in the 95th minute. Martinelli did the rest, finishing the move and sending Brazil’s players, bench and supporters into celebration.
For Ancelotti, this was a night of patience and belief. His decision to keep Casemiro on the field changed the game, while Martinelli’s impact off the bench confirmed Brazil’s depth in attack.
For Japan, it was a painful exit but another sign of growth. Moriyasu’s team showed quality, courage and tactical maturity against one of the tournament favorites. Sano looked like one of the brightest prospects in Japanese soccer, Suzuki delivered a performance worthy of the world stage, and Japan once again proved how far its national team has come.
Brazil moves on. Japan goes home. But for 95 minutes, the Seleção had to survive everything the Samurai Blue could throw at them.
Match Report
Brazil 2-1 Japan
Halftime: 0-1
Goals: 29’ Sano, 56’ Casemiro, 90+5’ Martinelli
Brazil: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Douglas Santos; Casemiro (90+2’ Fabinho), Bruno Guimarães (90+8’ Danilo Santos); Rayan, Paquetá (46’ Endrick), Vinícius Júnior; Cunha (55’ Martinelli).
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Japan: Z. Suzuki; Tomiyasu, H. Ito, Taniguchi; Doan (66’ Sugawara), Sano, J. Ito (78’ Machino), Nakamura (66’ Y. Suzuki); Kamada (78’ Tanaka), Maeda (90+7’ Ogawa); Ueda.
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
Referee: Mariani
Yellow Cards: Sano, Casemiro, Danilo, J. Suzuki
Red Cards: None
