Brazil survived a major scare from Japan before pulling off a dramatic 2-1 comeback win in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 at Houston Stadium on Monday, with substitute Gabriel Martinelli scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time.
The five-time world champions looked in danger of an early knockout exit after Kaishu Sano stunned Brazil in the 29th minute. Sano intercepted a loose pass from Danilo, drove toward goal, and fired past Alisson Becker to give Japan a shock 1-0 lead.
Japan then defended with discipline and intensity, frustrating Brazil’s attack for much of the first half. The Samurai Blue closed down spaces, disrupted passing lanes, and kept Brazil’s stars from finding rhythm before halftime.
But Brazil returned from the break with more urgency. Carlo Ancelotti’s side changed its approach, attacked the box more directly, and began testing Japan’s back line through repeated crosses.
The pressure paid off in the 56th minute when Casemiro rose at the far post and headed in a cross from Gabriel Magalhães to bring Brazil level. The goal was also historic: Casemiro became Brazil’s second-oldest goalscorer in World Cup history at 34 years and 126 days.
Brazil continued to press for the winner, with Vinícius Júnior nearly completing the turnaround after a dazzling run, only for Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to push his effort onto the post.
Japan appeared to be dragging the match into extra time, but Brazil found the breakthrough in the 95th minute. Bruno Guimarães slipped the ball through to Martinelli, who calmly finished from inside the box to seal Brazil’s place in the last 16.
Martinelli, who entered as a second-half substitute, said he was overwhelmed after delivering the late winner. “I’m lost for words,” he said after the match.
Ancelotti said Brazil did not panic despite trailing at halftime. “We didn’t lose our patience,” he said, adding that Japan was “very organised and intense.”
The victory sent Brazil into the Round of 16, where it will face the winner of Ivory Coast and Norway in New Jersey on Sunday. Japan, meanwhile, saw its hopes of a first-ever World Cup knockout win end in painful fashion despite one of its strongest performances on the global stage.
Brazil’s comeback showed both its vulnerability and its depth. Japan exposed problems in the first half, but Brazil’s bench, experience, and tactical adjustment ultimately kept its title chase alive.