Gabriel Martinelli struck deep into stoppage time to send Brazil into the World Cup last 16 with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Japan – and to cruelly deny Japan a first-ever knockout-stage victory at the tournament. The substitute’s 96th-minute finish capped a nervy night in Houston for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who had flirted with a shock early exit.
Brazil 2-1 Japan: goals and timeline
| Min | Scorer | Team | Score |
| 29′ | Kaishu Sano | Japan | 0-1 |
| 56′ | Casemiro | Brazil | 1-1 |
| 90+6′ | Gabriel Martinelli | Brazil | 2-1 |
How the match unfolded
Brazil were staring down the barrel of a disastrous exit when Kaishu Sano fired Japan in front. Capitalising on a poor Danilo pass, the midfielder cruised past Casemiro far too easily before finishing from the edge of the box to settle the half in Japan’s favour.
Casemiro, culpable for the opener, made amends after the break. Moments after somehow failing to convert a glaring chance – a close-range header that ricocheted off Takehiro Tomiyasu, goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Tomiyasu again on the line before being scrambled clear – he rose to head home Gabriel’s cross at the far post, sparking relief among the sizeable Brazilian following.
Brazil almost turned it around immediately when Vinicius Jr produced a stunning solo run and finish, only for Suzuki to claw the effort onto the post. The pressure kept building, and it finally told in the sixth minute of stoppage time: Bruno Guimarães threaded the ball to Martinelli, whose poke beyond Suzuki squirmed in off the inside of the post – the goalkeeper unable to keep it out – to seal a famous late win.
Key moments from Houston
| Min | Moment |
| 23′ | Already booked, Sano lunges in on Cunha by the byline – no foul given, as he just stayed on the right side of the line. |
| 29′ | GOAL. Sano pounces on a poor Danilo pass, glides past Casemiro and finishes from the edge of the box to put Japan ahead. |
| 53′ | Casemiro spurns a sitter – his close-range header strikes Tomiyasu, then Suzuki, then Tomiyasu again on the line before being cleared. |
| 56′ | GOAL. Casemiro makes amends, heading home Gabriel’s cross at the back post to level. |
| 58′ | Brazil nearly complete the turnaround, but Vinicius Jr’s stunning solo run and finish is tipped onto the post by Suzuki. |
| 90+6′ | GOAL. Bruno Guimarães slips in Martinelli, who pokes past Suzuki for a dramatic late winner. |
What it means: Brazil into the last 16
Brazil advance to the round of 16, where they will face either Norway – and Erling Haaland – or Ivory Coast in Sunday’s tie. For Japan, the heartbreak follows a painful pattern: they have now led in each of their last three World Cup knockout games and lost all three, their wait for a first knockout win at the tournament going on.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score in Brazil vs Japan?
Brazil beat Japan 2-1. Kaishu Sano put Japan ahead in the 29th minute, Casemiro equalised in the 56th, and Gabriel Martinelli scored a 96th-minute winner.
Who scored the winner for Brazil against Japan?
Gabriel Martinelli, who came off the bench, scored the winner in the 96th minute, poking the ball past Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki after a pass from Bruno Guimarães.
Who will Brazil play in the last 16?
Brazil will face either Norway or Ivory Coast in the round of 16, with the tie scheduled for Sunday.
Have Japan ever won a World Cup knockout game?
Not yet. Japan have now led in each of their last three World Cup knockout matches but lost them all, and are still seeking a first knockout-stage win at the competition.
