Brazil 2 – 1 Japan

Gabriel Martinelli’s 95th minute winner saw Brazil dramatically come from behind to win 2-1 and progress to the last 16 of the World Cup, cruelly denying Japan a knockout stage win for the first time in the competition.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were staring down the barrel of a calamitous early exit when Caishu Sano scored from the edge of the box in the first half – after he dribbled past Casemiro with ease.

But Casemiro made up for the loose defense by equalizing after the break. Minutes after the setter failed to convert, Houston headed home Gabriel’s cross at the far post to the relief of the huge Brazilian support.

Vinicius Jr. almost turned the game around with his solo run and push over the finish post by Japan goalkeeper Jeon Suzuki.

But Suzuki cruelly couldn’t do enough with Martinelli’s stoppage-time poke – managing to palm the effort onto the inside of the post before the ball went in.

Brazil will advance to the round of 16 where they will play Ivory Coast or Erling Haaland’s Norway. Meanwhile, Japan have led in each of their last three World Cup knockout games – and lost them all.

Highlights from Houston…

• 23: Red card? Already booked, Sano meets Mathews Cunha on the byline No foul was given as the Japan midfielder had a toe on the line.
• 29: Goal! Sano then picked up Danilo’s weak pass and slotted past Casemiro to score from the edge of the box.
• 53: Casemiro misses a sitter as his close-range header hits Takehiro Tomiyasu, then goalkeeper Suzuki, then back to Tomiyasu on the goal line and safely away.
• 56: Goal! Casemiro doesn’t miss this time as he heads home Gabriel’s cross at the back post.
• 58: Brazil almost complete the turnaround but Vinicius Junior’s stunning run and finish is caught at Suzuki’s post.
• 90+5: Goal! As the pressure mounted, Bruno Guimaraes fed the ball to Martinelli who slotted past Suzuki.

The scene! Martinelli’s picture wins it!

“Japan won our most complete game at the World Cup”, said Ancelotti

Brazil the boss Carlo Ancelotti:

“It was our most complete game (at the World Cup),” he said. “We had problems in the first half because Japan were defending well, they were close to us and tough.

“In the second half, we got over it, we got some space and put in crosses. It was an evolution (in strategy) for sure.

“At half-time I told the players to be patient, because sooner or later we will score a goal. But we have to maintain our shape not to compromise the game further.

“Japan is a very good team, very organised, they create dangerous chances and come close (defensively) they are physical.”

Analysis: Brazil have a glimmer – but they are beaten

Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:

Brazil have the aura of overstepping the mark in this type of game. They have options off the bench, even without Neymar, to ease the pressure. They have trophy winning managers with World Cup winning experience.

But their team also has holes. And that makes them losers. They need to do better against the top teams to go far.

Just like against Morocco, their midfield was wide open. Casemiro looked sluggish towards the game, booked early on – which later played a part in his slack defending for Japan’s goal.

Lucas Paqueta struggled to get into the game before coming off at half-time with an injury. Endrik and match winner Gabriel Martinelli contributed more.

If it wasn’t for Bruno Guimaraes, who was excellent at both ends of the pitch, Brazil would have had no presence in midfield at all.

There is also issue number 9 for Brazil. Matthews Cunha’s quiet display proved – as Premier League fans have always known – that he is no No.9. Ancelotti has already trialled and ruled out trialling Igor Thiago, while Cunha, Andric and Martinelli all share No 9 duties against Japan.

Ancelotti still doesn’t know his best Brazil XI. And that uncertainty spread to the team. Brazil started the game slowly – and a better team would have put them away earlier.

Brazil cannot rely on the Martinelli moment – they need to play better at the core.

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