Gabriel Martinelli broke Japanese hearts with a 95th-minute winner as Brazil edged a captivating 2-1 victory over Japan in Houston on Monday to advance to the World Cup Round of 16.
The Arsenal winger’s late intervention settled a dramatic encounter that had swung back and forth, with Japan threatening one of the tournament’s biggest upsets before Brazil’s superior depth ultimately told. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in New Jersey on Sunday.
Japan drew first blood after 29 minutes when defensive midfielder Kaishu Sano capitalised on a sloppy pass by Danilo, drove upfield from the centre circle, and swept a composed finish past Alisson for his first international goal. It was a stunning strike that silenced the vast majority of the 68,777-strong crowd draped in yellow.
Brazil were disjointed and unconvincing in the first half, and were forced into a change at the break when Lucas Paqueta limped off to be replaced by 19-year-old Endrick. The five-time champions rallied in the second period, levelling when Arsenal defender Gabriel delivered a precise cross for the unmarked Casemiro to head in at the back post.
From there Brazil pressed relentlessly for a winner, with Vinicius Junior, who had scored four times in the group stage, becoming increasingly influential. He turned the Japan defence inside out at one point, only for Suzuki to direct his effort onto the post. Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu also twice kept the ball off the line under heavy Brazil pressure.
Just when extra time seemed inevitable, Martinelli pounced in stoppage time to settle the contest and send the Brazilian fans into delirium.
History had always been against Japan in this fixture, having never won a World Cup knockout match, while Brazil arrived as record five-time champions. But Moriyasu’s side, who had beaten Brazil in a friendly in October and entered the tournament as dark horses, pushed the South Americans to the limit before Martinelli ended their campaign.
