World Cup
FIFA World
Cup 2026
LIVE
10s ago
live
Updated
Brazil came from behind to beat Japan at the death in a thrilling 2026 World Cup knockout clash.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner to send Brazil into the round of 16.
Casemiro had earlier levelled the score after Kaishu Sano had given underdogs Japan an unlikely but deserved lead.
Brazil will next face either the Ivory Coast or Norway in New York on July 5, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
That was Brazil's first win at the World Cup when conceding first since the opening match of the 2014 tournament at home, ending a run of five straight matches in which they failed to win after trailing 1-0.
Thrilling, intoxicating and unpredictable.
The way Japan started and the fashion in which Brazil ended.
When extra time loomed like a certainty, Martinelli popped up to provide the suckerpunch to Japan.
Once again, Brazil were unconvincing, but you cannot underestimate the importance of intangible qualities such as fight and heart, which Ancelotti’s men had in abundance to secure that comeback victory.
After a poor first half, Casemiro was the man who got Brazil back into the match — here is what he said at full time.
💬 “Well, I think it was about our calm and our patience and pressuring a team that was playing on a very low block. I think the most important aspects are calm and believing the time would come and we'll be able to score. I think that our confidence and our pressure were key for this.”
Asked how he felt after the win, he said: “Well, I feel many emotions right now. you ask God to guide you, and at that moment, of course, I have to give it up to Gabi (Martinelli) as well, who was right there.
“So, again, it's really a lot of emotions at the same time, and I think you have to really value your entire group, the collective, Martinelli with the winning goal, Endrick. I think that's the path to win the World Cup. You have to value the group.”
Japan defender Shogo Taniguchi spoke to the media after Japan's crushing late defeat.
💬 “Of course it's frustrating. Yes, because we lost, and we really meant to beat them, and then go on to the next stage, but it couldn't happen, so it's very frustrating.”
He was asked about their young team: “Yes, true. And there were players who were fighting in their first World Cup as well, so we all were focusing to develop our game as well, so that is all the reason why that I find it very frustrating all the more.”
Carlo Ancelotti has also shared his thoughts on Brazilian television.
💬 “We deserved to win. We let in a goal but we didn't lose patience. We played well. We have a lot of resources all over the pitch. The players are talented as individual and they work well together, too. Japan are not an easy team to beat.”
Ancelotti also said that he would have brought Neymar off the bench if the game had gone to extra time. He did, it must be said, look a little bit annoyed to have been asked the question. He's certainly learning about Brazil's media the fun way.
Gabriel Martinelli, Brazil's matchwinner, has just spoken on Brazilian television.
💬 “I don't have words to describe the happiness in heart. Seeing all the Brazilian fans, my mum, my dad in the stands … I think the penny will only drop in the days ahead.”
On his role after coming on: “At Arsenal, I don't play in that position, but I can do it. The coach has talked to me about it. I'm happy to help the team, whether that's on the left or more in midfield.”
Almost everyone watching this one expected Carlo Ancelotti to remove Casemiro at half-time.
Instead, the Italian opted for a change of shape that saw the veteran midfielder go close before scoring a trademark header to level 11 minutes into the second half.
The Brazil great is used to proving people wrong and, in some ways, this game felt like his Manchester United career in microcosm. He looked sluggish and out of sorts in the first half, then made the difference at the start of the second.
Our game rating: 7/10. This looked like one of the most enticing round-of-32 games and it did not disappoint.
Japan fought doggedly in the first half and deserved to go in ahead for their efforts in keeping Brazil at bay. But Brazil came out for the second half with a new shape and renewed energy, fully deserving their equaliser through Casemiro.
Japan regrouped well and gave themselves a chance of winning their first World Cup knockout game, against the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
In the end, though, it was a familiar tale of heartbreak for Japan, with Brazil’s class shining through thanks to Martinelli’s glorious late winner.
Two down, 14 to go in the round of 32.
The favourites have won the first two matches, both in stoppage time.
Imagine losing like that and then having to clean up.
I was quite disappointed with what Japan offered in that second half.
There was a moment, just before Brazil's equaliser, that should have encouraged them: Casemiro had a header blocked on the line and Japan went forward on the counter, running into acres of space. The final ball was poor and a couple of minutes later Brazil scored.
After that, they could barely get out of their own half. Given how the first half went, they will surely reflect on that in the days ahead.
It had been a quiet game for Vinicius Jr before he produced an astonishing run and poked finish that was magnificently saved by Zion Suzuki.
The move began with an impeccable touch, before Vinicius Jr left a couple of Japan players behind and produced a finish that looked destined for the net until Suzuki pushed the ball onto the post.
It would have been a genuine goal-of-the-tournament contender, but the save was every bit as special.
During a game in which Brazil lacked that little bit of magic for long periods, this was a reminder of what these players are capable of at their best — something reinforced by Gabriel Martinelli’s winner at the death.
You have to feel for Japan. That is now five World Cup knockout matches, and five defeats. Four of those five they either lost in stoppage time or on penalties.
They played so well in the first half today, but weren't in the game at all after half-time.
What a brilliant assist for Martinelli’s winner.
Crowded out by a host of Japan players, Guimaraes calmly threaded an inch-perfect pass through to Martinelli, who took the ball in his stride before providing the finish.
Simple but effective, the Newcastle United midfielder did right in the situation.
You have to feel for Japan. They’ve exited the competition in the most devastating manner. But fair play to Brazil, they didn’t panic and emerged from the second half looking like a side reborn.
It’s not always pretty, but Brazil’s individual quality and squad depth have prevailed, and Ancelotti’s men book their place in the round of 16.
That's what Ancelotti's best Madrid sides often did: not play great, struggle at times, but find a way to win, often by big players stepping up in vital moments to provide what their team needed.
Really impressive from Guimaraes in particular, to have the composure and vision to pick out the killer pass in the perfect moment.
Gabriel Martinelli can be a frustrating player, especially in front of goal. He is not always the most clinical. That, though, was wonderful. The space he had to control the ball and get a shot away was minimal.
Everything had to be perfect — and it was.
Heartbreaking for Japan, but Gabriel Martinelli loves a big goal for Arsenal and now he has one for Brazil. It's been interesting to see him used more centrally than he is at club level by Ancelotti, and it's paid off.
Still though, Zion Suzuki deserves major credit for his performance today.
Two knockout games so far, both of them settled in stoppage time.
Canada scored in 90+2, Brazil score in 90+6. And I suspect there will be more late winners where they came from.
An explosion of noise at the sounding of the full-time whistle in Houston.
A crowd flooded with yellow Brazil shirts celebrates wildly after a brilliant comeback victory.
Ancelotti reacts how he always does: without passion or emotion, knowing that there is plenty of work left to do.
The Japanese players are, understandably, crestfallen and several of them are in tears after being eliminated at the round-of-32 stage.
Team Stats
BRA
JPN
Game Details