Brazil are into the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner completed a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in Houston.
The Selecao were in trouble after Kaishu Sano fired Japan ahead in the first half, giving the Samurai Blue fresh belief that they could finally break their World Cup knockout barrier. But Brazil responded after the break, with Casemiro heading in the equaliser before Martinelli delivered the decisive blow in the 95th minute.
It was not smooth. It was not comfortable. But it was Brazil.
The five-time champions were forced to fight through pressure, frustration and Japan’s discipline before finding the late moment that kept their campaign alive.
Japan Strike First
Japan started with confidence and structure, refusing to allow Brazil easy control in dangerous areas.
Zion Suzuki was the busier goalkeeper early on, but Japan were not simply waiting to survive. They stayed compact, looked for transitions and punished Brazil when the opening came.
In the 29th minute, Sano picked up a loose ball near the halfway line and drove forward with purpose. Casemiro could not recover quickly enough, and Sano’s low long-range strike beat Alisson Becker to put Japan ahead.
The goal changed the mood of the tie.
Brazil had possession, but Japan had the lead. And as half-time arrived, the Samurai Blue looked organised enough to protect it.
Casemiro Drags Brazil Back
Brazil needed urgency after the break.
The response came with more pressure, more speed and more direct attacking. Japan still defended with discipline, and Suzuki had to produce important interventions to delay the equaliser.
But Brazil eventually found their way through.
Casemiro rose at the far post and powered home a header from Gabriel Magalhaes’ delivery to bring the Selecao level just before the hour mark. The goal reset the match and shifted the emotional weight back toward Brazil.
From there, Japan had to survive waves of pressure while still trying to carry some threat of their own.
Vinicius Junior almost produced a spectacular goal after a mazy run, only for his effort to be tipped onto the woodwork. At the other end, Japan tested Alisson from distance, but their attacking edge had started to fade.
Martinelli Breaks Japanese Hearts
The match looked ready for extra time until Brazil found one more surge.
With stoppage time running, Bruno Guimaraes picked out Martinelli in space at the far post. The Arsenal forward stayed calm and bent his finish beyond Suzuki to complete Brazil’s comeback. Martinelli’s goal came on the 95th-minute and was the winner, sending Brazil into the last 16.
For Japan, it was another painful World Cup ending.
They had led one of the tournament favourites. They had defended with courage. They had carried the game deep enough to dream of a historic knockout win.
But once again, the final step escaped them.
Brazil Move On, Japan Face Familiar Pain
Brazil will not remember this as a perfect performance. They started slowly, gave Japan belief and needed a late rescue to avoid extra time.
However, knockout football often comes down to who still has one decisive action left. Brazil had it.
Casemiro gave them the route back. Martinelli gave them the finish. And Japan were left with another reminder of how cruel the World Cup knockout stage can be.
The Selecao now move into the Round of 16 with questions still attached, but also with the one thing that matters most at this stage: survival.
Brazil bent. Japan pushed. Martinelli decided it.
