Gabriel Martinelli struck five minutes into stoppage time to rescue Brazil with a dramatic 2-1 win over Japan at Houston, sealing the five-time World Cup champions’ place in the Round of 16.
Japan stunned Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the 29th minute when Kaishu Sano scored, putting Brazil on the brink of a historic first competitive defeat to Asian opposition and one of the tournament’s biggest shocks.
Brazil responded after the break. Casemiro headed home on 56 minutes to level, sparking a sustained Seleção onslaught. Japan resisted with goalkeeper Zion Suzuki producing a string of key saves to keep his team in the game.
But Brazil found a winner in the dying seconds. Arsenal forward Martinelli finished from close range after a release from Bruno Guimarães to snatch victory and avoid embarrassment.
The result sends Brazil through to face the winners of Tuesday’s Norway vs. Côte d’Ivoire tie, with that Round of 16 match set for Sunday in New Jersey.
