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Gabriel Martinelli scored deep into stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over Japan, setting up a Round of 16 meeting with either Côte d’Ivoire or Norway.
Japan had taken a shock lead in the 29th minute when Kaishu Sano intercepted Danilo’s misplaced pass and unleashed a missile from outside the box beyond Alisson. It was Sano’s first international goal and gave Japan a deserved lead against a Brazil side that dominated possession but lacked cutting edge.
Casemiro atoned for his earlier mistake by heading home Bruno Guimarães’ cross in the 56th minute to level the match. Vinicius Jr hit the post moments later as Brazil pushed for a winner.
With extra time looming, Bruno Guimarães found an unmarked Martinelli inside the box, and the Arsenal forward kept his cool to beat Zion Suzuki one-on-one in the 90+6th minute.
In the first half, Japan frustrated Brazil with a disciplined 5-4-1 defensive shape, leaving little space for the Seleção to exploit. The breakthrough came against the run of play. Danilo’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Kaishu Sano, who surged forward and brushed past Casemiro before drilling a low strike beyond Alisson.
Brazil emerged after the interval with far greater intensity. Their pressure was rewarded in the 56th minute when Casemiro rose at the back post to head Gabriel Magalhães’ cross past Zion Suzuki, bringing the Seleção level.
Vinicius Jr delivered a moment of magic minutes later, but his mazy run ended with a strike that hit the post.
With extra time looming, Brazil delivered a heartbreaking late blow. Bruno Guimarães drove towards the edge of the area before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into Gabriel Martinelli, who squeezed his shot past Suzuki despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it.
