Brazil edge Japan 2-1 in stoppage time to reach World Cup Round of 16
Brazil advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan in Houston, Texas, secured by Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli’s 95th-minute winner. The five-time world champions had trailed after Kaishu Sano’s first-half strike but equalised through Casemiro before Martinelli struck deep into stoppage time to break Japanese hearts .
Japan had controlled the opening 45 minutes at NRG Stadium, with Sano’s composed finish on 29 minutes putting the Asian side ahead. Brazil struggled to impose their rhythm, prompting early criticism of a disjointed Seleção performance. Casemiro restored parity on 56 minutes, rising to meet a Gabriel cross and powering a header past Japan’s Shuichi Gonda . Yet the match remained finely poised until the final seconds, when Martinelli collected a loose ball on the left and rifled a low shot across goal that clipped the far post and rolled in at 95:47 .
The result sends Brazil into a Round of 16 tie against Norway or Ivory Coast, to be played in New Jersey on 5 July . In Rio de Janeiro, jubilant fans on Copacabana Beach celebrated the late rescue act, while in Tokyo supporters were left in tears after Japan’s first knockout-stage exit in their World Cup history .
Analysts highlighted Brazil’s resilience under Carlo Ancelotti, who reshaped the team at half-time to regain control. Casemiro’s equaliser symbolised a collective shift in momentum, though the late winner underscored lingering concerns about Brazil’s attacking fluidity. Martinelli, often overshadowed by Neymar on the bench, emerged as the unexpected hero, his composure under pressure the decisive factor .
Japan’s elimination marks the second consecutive World Cup in which they have fallen at the Round of 32 stage, a pattern that will fuel debate over their ability to progress beyond the last 16. For Brazil, the victory offers temporary relief but does little to silence questions about their title credentials ahead of a potential quarter-final against a resurgent European side.
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Articles
Brazil fans celebrated on Rio de Janeiros Copacabana Beach after their team came from behind to beat Japan 2-1. However, fans in Tokyo were left in tears after Japan was knocked out in the round of 32.
bluesky_Reuters · about 3 hours ago
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thejournal · about 3 hours ago
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yenisafak · about 4 hours ago
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japantoday · about 4 hours ago
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thejournal · about 4 hours ago
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aljazeera · about 4 hours ago
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svenska dagbladet · about 4 hours ago
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cyprus mail · about 4 hours ago
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la libre · about 5 hours ago
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bbc sport · about 5 hours ago
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tagesspiegel · about 5 hours ago
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bluesky_The Guardian · about 6 hours ago
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de volkskrant · about 6 hours ago
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die presse · about 6 hours ago
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aljazeera · about 6 hours ago
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nrk · about 6 hours ago
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welt.de · about 6 hours ago
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welt.de · about 6 hours ago
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welt.de · about 6 hours ago
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tagesspiegel · about 6 hours ago
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bbc sport · about 6 hours ago
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tagesspiegel · about 6 hours ago
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tagesspiegel · about 6 hours ago