Texas [US], June 30 (ANI): Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner as Brazil mounted an exciting 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 surprised the five-time world champions within the first half when Kaishu Sano intercepted a unfastened ball deep inside his personal half. Sano launched into a superb 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 strain. Gabriel Magalhaes curled a exact cross towards the again submit, permitting veteran midfielder Casemiro to rise highest and energy a header dwelling, levelling the sport at 1-1.
With the match trying destined for additional time, Danilo gained the ball again deep in transition, discovering Endrick. The teen well laid it off for Bruno Guimaraes, who slid an ideal go 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 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 immediate basic, 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 really took a shock lead through 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 match, Japan pulled off a surprising 3-2 pleasant win in Tokyo — their first ever in opposition to the South Americans. (ANI)