Brazil are through to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup thanks to a dramatic turnaround on Monday. Substitute Gabriel Martinelli‘s stoppage-time winner sealed a 2-1 triumph over Japan at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Having fallen behind to Kaishu Sano‘s first-half finish, Brazil improved after the break and leveled through Casemiro, but they left it late to snatch victory. With 95:00 on the clock, Martinelli steered home the latest winning goal on record in a World Cup knockout match (excluding extra-time, since 1966) to spark wild scenes.
The result means Ivory Coast or Norway are up next for Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the Round of 16, while Japan extend their record of playing the most knockout stage games at the FIFA World Cup without ever progressing (0/5).
Table of Contents
Match Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition | World Cup 2026 – Round of 32 |
| Fixture | Brazil vs. Japan |
| Venue | NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas) |
| Attendance | 68,777 |
| Referee | Maurizio Mariani |
| Final Score | Brazil 2 – 1 Japan |
First Half: Japan Strike Against the Run of Play
Brazil started brightly enough. The in-form Matheus Cunha forced Zion Suzuki into a low stop down to his right, and Bruno Guimarães curled narrowly wide of the far post after being slipped in by Lucas Paquetá from the resulting corner.
Brazil owned 68% possession before the break and outshot Japan 8 to 4, but found themselves behind in the 29th minute. Sano intercepted Danilo’s loose pass (recorded as an error leading to a goal) and easily drove past Casemiro. From the edge of the box, he flashed a drilled shot past Alisson and into the bottom-left corner.
Vinícius Júnior and Cunha both tried their luck from distance as Japan’s defense frustrated Brazil’s star-studded attack. Brazil hit the interval trailing 1-0 with only 0.35 expected goals (xG) to show for their control.
Second Half: A Dominant Turnaround
Presumably, stern words from the Brazil boss at the break kicked them into gear. Carlo Ancelotti sent on Endrick for the injured Paquetá at halftime to freshen the frontline.
Brazil flew out of the blocks and spurned two glorious chances to draw level. Suzuki brilliantly kept out Guimarães’ close-range header before a Casemiro effort was somehow blocked on the line by Takehiro Tomiyasu.
However, Casemiro was not to be denied in the 56th minute, when he nodded Gabriel Magalhães’ line-breaking delivery to the back post into the net. The comeback was almost complete two minutes later, but after Vinícius’ dazzling run, his flicked shot was tipped onto the post by Suzuki.
With extra-time looming, Brazil’s moment arrived. Ao Tanaka coughed up possession to Rayan on the edge of his own box. The young winger picked out Guimarães, and he slipped in Martinelli (who replaced Cunha on 66 minutes). Martinelli’s 96th-minute finish just beat Suzuki and clipped in off the right-hand post.
Goal Summary Timeline
| Minute | Goalscorer | Team | Assist / Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29′ | Kaishu Sano | Japan | Drilled shot from the edge of the box; Capitalized on an error |
| 56′ | Casemiro | Brazil | Header at the back post; Assist by Gabriel Magalhães |
| 90+6′ | Gabriel Martinelli | Brazil | Shot off the right-hand post; Assist by Bruno Guimarães |
Tactical Breakdown: Territory, Volume, and xG
This was possession with purpose. Brazil completed 625 of 682 passes and logged 107 final third entries, compared to Japan’s 261 of 315 and 44 entries. Penalty-area touches ended 35 to 11 for Brazil.
The shot count read 19 to 5, and xG favored Brazil 1.69 to 0.23 (with Brazil creating four big chances). Shots on target read 7 to 2, and Brazil also fired 12 shots from inside the box to Japan’s 2.
Crossing volume was heavy at 40 attempts for Brazil. Japan held their own in the air, winning 15 of 27 aerial duels and connecting on 24 of 45 long balls. On the ground, though, Brazil won 61% of duels. Brazil’s back four were cleaner: tackles won were 67% for Brazil versus 40% for Japan, and interceptions favored Brazil 9 to 4.
Japan’s backline and goalkeeper did a lot right for 90 minutes. Tomiyasu led a busy defense with 9 clearances and a goal-line stop, and the team as a whole cleared the ball 45 times. Suzuki made 4 saves, completed 9 accurate long balls, and registered 4 high claims and 2 punches.
Historic Milestones for the Seleção
Brazil had been eliminated from four of their previous six World Cup knockout matches ahead of facing Japan. This was just Brazil’s second win in their previous nine FIFA World Cup matches in which they’ve trailed, and their first such victory since their opening match of 2014 against Croatia (3-1).
The average age of Brazil’s starting XI (29 years, 245 days) was their oldest for a knockout stage game at the World Cup since their quarter-final defeat to France in 2006.
Guimarães, who has been linked with a summer switch away from Newcastle United, now has the most assists of any player at this World Cup (four). Only Pelé has recorded more assists for Brazil in a single edition of the World Cup on record since 1966 (six in 1970).
Player Spotlight: Casemiro Heads Above the Rest
Casemiro earned Player of the Match honors. After scoring eight headed goals in 2025-26 for Manchester United (more than any other Premier League player in all competitions), he popped up with another one here. Five of his 10 goals for Brazil have been headed.
Aged 34 years and 126 days, Casemiro became the second-oldest goalscorer for Brazil at the World Cup, behind only Bebeto in 1998 (34 years, 137 days).
He scored the equalizer, landed both of his shots on target, and posted an xG of 0.65 with 0.72 expected goals on target (xGOT). He completed 68 of 76 passes (including 7 of 10 long balls) and 47 of 52 in the opposition half. His all-around profile included 4 clearances, 2 blocks, 1 interception, and 4 ball recoveries. He logged 16 carries for a total carrying distance of 124 meters (86 meters of progression).
Across the competition, Casemiro has started all four matches and played 289 minutes. He has 12 tackles, five interceptions, and 13 clearances, winning 23 total duels at 59%. He has covered 23.08 kilometers with a top speed of 28.83 km/h.
Supporting Cast
Gabriel Magalhães led Brazil with 135 passes (130 completed), delivered 2 key passes, and assisted the leveler. Marquinhos added 108 accurate passes and 4 clearances. Bruno Guimarães provided the game-winning assist and finished with a team-high total for chances created (four). Substitute Endrick added energy, a shot, and three recoveries.
What This Means for Brazil
Despite Brazil’s progression, they will know improvements are needed if they are to enjoy a deep run in the competition. Ancelotti’s side failed to have a first-half shot on target from inside the box for the first time in a World Cup match since their quarter-final defeat to Belgium in 2018.
Still, this win felt like a template for knockout football. With 210 successful actions in the final third and four big chances created, the method looks repeatable against stronger defenses. Brazil now prepare for a massive Round of 16 clash, keeping their dreams of a sixth World Cup star alive.
FAQs
What was the final score between Brazil and Japan?
Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in their Round of 32 clash at the World Cup 2026.
Who scored the winning goal for Brazil?
Substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored the game-winning goal deep into stoppage time (96th minute) to seal the comeback.
What historical record did Gabriel Martinelli set?
Martinelli’s 96th-minute goal became the latest winning goal on record in a World Cup knockout match (excluding extra-time, since 1966).
What statistical milestone did Bruno Guimarães achieve?
With his assist for the winning goal, Bruno Guimarães reached four assists for the tournament, trailing only Pelé (6 assists in 1970) for the most by a Brazilian in a single World Cup since 1966.
How old is Casemiro, and what record did he nearly break?
At 34 years and 126 days old, Casemiro became the second-oldest goalscorer for Brazil at the World Cup, just 11 days shy of Bebeto’s record set in 1998.