Brazil 2-1 Japan: Gabriel Martinelli scores 96th-minute World Cup winner
Gabriel Martinelli strikes deep in stoppage time as Brazil come from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup Round of 32 clash in Houston.
The Arsenal forward, introduced as a second-half substitute, converted a slick, incisive pass from Bruno Guimaraes in the 96th minute to send the five-time champions into the last 16 just as extra time beckoned.
Japan had looked on course to inflict a historic knockout defeat on the Seleção when Kaishu Sano capitalised on a loose pass in midfield, driving forward unchallenged before rifling a brilliant low strike past Alisson Becker after 29 minutes. Carlo Ancelotti’s side dominated possession but struggled to breach a masterclass of defensive discipline from the Samurai Blue before the interval.
Whatever Ancelotti said at half-time resonated immediately. Brazil emerged with a completely renewed sense of urgency, introducing teenage prodigy Endrick to spark life into the attack.
The pressure finally told in the 56th minute when veteran midfielder Casemiro, who had earlier seen a header cleared off the line, met a pinpoint Gabriel Magalhães cross at the back post to nod past Zion Suzuki. Vinícius Júnior came agonizingly close to putting Brazil ahead shortly after, but Suzuki produced a sensational finger-tip save to deflect his effort onto the post.
Japan defended gamely under a relentless second-half siege, but their hearts were broken at the absolute death. A misplaced pass just outside the box fell to Guimaraes, who cleverly threaded the ball into Martinelli. The substitute shifted the ball onto his right foot in a flash, steering it past Suzuki and in off the far post to seal a dramatic comeback victory.
Brazil now march on to East Rutherford, where they will face either Ivory Coast or Norway on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.
