Brazil left it until the final seconds to book their place in the World Cup last 16, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked set for extra time after recovering from a first-half deficit, but Martinelli delivered the decisive moment in the 95th minute. Brazil regained possession just outside the Japanese penalty area before Bruno Guimaraes threaded a perfectly weighted pass into Martinelli, who took one touch and calmly finished off the inside of the post.
The late goal completed an emotional turnaround for Brazil and ended Japan’s spirited resistance after an impressive performance that had threatened one of the tournament’s biggest surprises.
Japan were disciplined and well-organised from the opening whistle, frustrating Brazil with a compact five-man defensive line while remaining dangerous on the counter-attack. Their reward came when Kaishu Sano intercepted a loose pass from Danilo, drove past Casemiro and fired a low shot into the bottom corner to put his side ahead.
Brazil dominated possession but struggled to create clear openings before the interval, with Japan quickly closing down every attacking move and leaving little space in the final third.
Ancelotti responded at half-time by introducing Endrick in place of Lucas Paqueta, who appeared to be carrying an early injury. The change helped inject fresh energy into Brazil’s attack, while their approach became far more direct.
Instead of relying solely on intricate passing, Brazil repeatedly targeted the penalty area with crosses. The tactic eventually paid off 10 minutes into the second half when Gabriel’s delivery found Casemiro, who drifted away from his marker before powering a header into the net.
Brazil almost completed the turnaround moments later through Vinicius Jr. The winger collected the ball inside the Japanese half, beat one defender with a nutmeg, skipped past another and curled an effort toward the far corner, only for goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to produce a superb fingertip save that pushed the shot onto the post.
Despite the growing pressure, Japan remained resilient. Takehiro Tomiyasu produced an outstanding goal-line clearance to deny Casemiro another goal, while Hajime Moriyasu’s side continued to defend with determination as the match edged closer to extra time.
However, their resistance was finally broken in the closing moments. Ao Tanaka lost possession near his own penalty area, allowing Guimaraes to quickly release Martinelli, who kept his composure to send Brazil into the knockout stage.
Japan can take pride in pushing one of the tournament favourites to the limit. Moriyasu’s tactical plan worked brilliantly during the opening half, even with injuries to key players Wataru Endo and Kaoru Mitoma limiting his options.
Sano’s opening goal highlighted Japan’s disciplined counter-attacking strategy, while their defence continued to frustrate Brazil long after the equaliser. But with extra time only seconds away, a single mistake proved decisive.
Brazil now move on to the last 16, where they will face either Norway or Ivory Coast, while Japan’s search for a first World Cup knockout-stage victory continues.