2026 World Cup: Martinelli has Brazil cheering late against Japan

In a tightly contested match at the Houston Stadium, Brazil edged past Japan 2:1 in the Round of 32 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, securing their place in the quarterfinals. The game was marked by intense defensive battles, strategic substitutions, and a dramatic late goal that sealed Brazil’s victory. Despite being the reigning world champions, Brazil faced significant challenges throughout the match, particularly in the first half when they struggled to break down Japan’s disciplined defense.

The Japanese team, coached by Hajime Moriyasu, adopted a deep defensive strategy, allowing Brazil to dominate possession but limiting their scoring opportunities. This approach proved effective early on as Japan managed to take the lead in the 29th minute. Kaishu Sano, a Bundesliga player with Mainz, capitalized on a defensive error by Brazilian midfielder Danilo. Sano intercepted the ball in midfield, advanced swiftly, and delivered a precise shot into the top left corner of the net, leaving goalkeeper Alisson Becker with no chance to react. This goal seemed to give Japan a strong foothold in the match, especially considering Brazil had yet to register a meaningful chance in the opening half.

Brazil’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, made several tactical adjustments during halftime, notably introducing young star Endrick in place of the injured Lucas Paqueta. These changes injected more energy into Brazil’s attack, leading to increased pressure on Japan’s defense. The turning point came in the second half when Brazil equalized through Casemiro, who headed home a cross from Gabriel Magalhaes in the 56th minute. Moments later, Vinicius Junior nearly scored after a powerful run, but his shot struck the post instead of finding the back of the net.

Despite these efforts, Brazil remained under constant threat from Japan’s counterattacks, which were executed with precision and composure. The match appeared poised for extra time until the final moments brought about a decisive shift. In the 95th minute, substitute Gabriel Martinelli, playing for Arsenal, seized upon a moment of inattention by Japan’s defender Ao Tanaka. Martinelli took advantage of the space, delivering a well-placed right-footed shot that found the net despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, whose attempt to block the shot deflected the ball into the net.

With this last-minute goal, Brazil secured a hard-fought 2:1 victory, advancing to the quarterfinals where they will face the winner of the match between Ivory Coast and Norway, scheduled to take place in Dallas. The result highlights Brazil’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, even without their star forward Neymar, who sat out due to injury.

The match underscored the competitive nature of the tournament, with both teams displaying high levels of skill and determination. Brazil’s journey continues with hopes of reclaiming the World Cup title, while Japan’s performance demonstrated their growing strength as a footballing nation capable of challenging traditional powerhouses. As the competition progresses, fans around the world will be watching closely to see how these teams continue to evolve and compete on the global stage.