Texas [US], June 30 (ANI): Brazil star Gabriel Martinelli celebrated the nationwide staff’s qualification for the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after scoring within the aspect’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Japan.
In a publish on X, Martinelli expressed his delight at contributing with a aim and thanked Brazilian followers for his or her assist because the staff superior to the knockout stage.
‘So completely happy to have the ability to assist the staff with a aim and with the qualification. At a loss for phrases to explain it. Thank you, Brazil! Let’s go collectively till the tip!’ Martinelli wrote.
https://x.com/gabimartinelli/status/2071724767170748609?s=20
Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic Ninety fifth-minute winner as Brazil mounted an exhilarating second-half comeback to defeat Japan 2-1, securing a hard-fought ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 in entrance of a packed stadium on Monday (native time).
Japan shocked the five-time world champions within the first half when Kaishu Sano intercepted a free ball deep inside his personal half. He launched into an excellent 40-yard solo dash earlier than drilling a fierce strike previous Alisson to make it 1-0.
After a irritating first half the place Japan’s Zion Suzuki remained largely untroubled, Brazil intensified the stress. Gabriel Magalhaes curled a exact cross towards the again publish, permitting veteran midfielder Casemiro to rise highest and energy a header residence, levelling the sport at 1-1.
With the match trying destined for further time, Danilo gained the ball again deep in transition, discovering Endrick. The teen neatly laid it off for Bruno Guimaraes, who slid an ideal move to an unmarked Gabriel Martinelli contained in the field. Martinelli took a composed contact and slotted it into the far nook, squeezing it previous a determined Suzuki to seal the 2-1 victory.
Brazil advances to the Round of 16, the place they may face both the Ivory Coast or Norway on July 5 on the New York New Jersey Stadium.
While this Round of 32 conflict within the expanded 2026 format produced an on the spot traditional, matchups between these two nations on soccer’s grandest stage are exceedingly uncommon.
Before this 2026 encounter, Brazil and Japan had confronted one another solely as soon as in FIFA World Cup historical past: Germany 2006. Much just like the 2026 match, Japan truly took a shock lead by way of Keiji Tamada within the thirty fourth minute.
However, a star-studded Selecao stormed again with a brace from Ronaldo, alongside objectives from Juninho Pernambucano and Gilberto to safe a snug 4-1 victory.
History closely favours Brazil on this matchup. Across 15 conferences, the Selecao have gained 12, with 2 attracts and only a single loss. But that one defeat looms massive. Months earlier than this event, Japan pulled off a shocking 3-2 pleasant win in Tokyo — their first ever towards the South Americans. (ANI)