Μουντιάλ 2026: Αρχίζει η φάση των «16» με τη δοκιμασία της Γαλλίας κόντρα στην Παραγουάη και το Καναδάς-Μαρόκο

The World Cup 2026 witnessed one of its most dramatic moments as Brazil edged past Japan in a thrilling match that lasted until the final minutes. The game, held in Houston, saw Brazil secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Japan, advancing to the Round of 16. This result marked a significant turning point for Brazil, who had struggled early on but ultimately found their rhythm and secured crucial goals in the closing stages.

In the first 20 minutes of the match, Brazil dominated possession, controlling nearly 80% of the ball against Japan's more cautious approach. Despite this dominance, Japan remained composed and waited for their opportunity. That moment came in the 29th minute when Japan’s Sanō stole the ball in midfield, maneuvered through the Brazilian defense, and struck a powerful shot from outside the penalty area that beat goalkeeper Alisson. It was a personal milestone for Sanō, marking his first goal for Japan and a standout moment in the tournament so far.

Brazil responded strongly in the second half, particularly between the 50th and 60th minutes. They played with intensity, putting Japan under immense pressure. In the 53rd minute, Gimaraes headed a cross from Gabriel, but the Japanese defenders managed to clear the danger. Just five minutes later, Casemiro equalized after a header from a corner delivered by Gabriel. Then, in the 58th minute, Vinícius Júnior showcased his brilliance with a solo run into the box, curling a shot just wide of the post, narrowly missing a second goal.

As the match progressed, both teams grew increasingly cautious, aware that extra time could be on the horizon. However, in the dying moments of the game, Japan made a critical error. In the 90th minute plus five seconds, Tanaka committed a costly mistake within his own penalty area. Gimaraes quickly fed the ball to Gabriel Martinelli, who calmly slotted the ball into the net, securing Brazil’s place in the next round. The goal was a moment of pure composure and precision, sending Brazil into the Round of 16.

The match was officiated by Italian referee Maurizio Mariani, who showed yellow cards to several players from both sides. For Brazil, Casemiro and Daniil were cautioned, while Japan received cautions for Sanō, Kamada, and Jun Suzuki. The starting lineups reflected the tactical approaches of both coaches. Brazil’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, fielded a strong defensive lineup featuring Alisson, Gabriel, Marcos, Daniil, and Douglas Santos. Midfielders Casemiro, Bruno Gimaraes, and Pacca set up the attack, with Vinícius Júnior and Kunia leading the front line.

Japan’s coach, Moriyasu Hajime, opted for a balanced formation with Zaiyon Suzuki in goal, supported by Taniguchi, H. Ito, Tomiyasu, and Nakamura. The midfield trio included Maeda, Nakamura, and Sanō, with the attacking trio consisting of Kamada, Sanō, and Uenda. Substitutions were made throughout the match, reflecting the need for fresh legs and tactical adjustments as the game wore on.

The outcome of this match has significant implications for both teams. Brazil now faces either Ivory Coast or Norway in the next stage of the competition, setting up an intriguing encounter. Meanwhile, Japan will look to regroup and improve their performance in future matches. The dramatic nature of this result highlights the unpredictable and high-stakes environment of the World Cup, where even the most dominant teams can find themselves in challenging situations. As the tournament progresses, fans around the world will be watching closely to see how these teams perform in the upcoming rounds.