Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to score the winner, as Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in a last-32 clash at the 2026 World Cup.
Martinelli’s strike saw Carlo Ancelotti’s men dramatically come from behind to advance to the last 16.
It also means Japan are yet to win a first-ever knockout stage win in the competition.
Selecao were staring down the barrel of a disastrous early exit when Kaishu Sano scored from the edge of the box in the first half – after he breezed past Casemiro too easily.
But Casemiro made up for that slack defending by equalising after the break. Minutes after failing to convert a sitter, he headed home Gabriel’s cross at the far post to the relief of the sizeable Brazil support in Houston.
Vinicius Jr almost turned the game on its head as his solo run and finish was palmed onto the post by Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
But Suzuki cruelly could not do enough on Martinelli’s stoppage-time poke – only able to palm the effort onto the inside of the post before the ball rolled in.
