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The Japanese blade terrifies football wizards
On an exceptional night, Brazil overcame their Japanese counterparts, trailing 1-0 until the final minutes, as they grabbed a crucial stoppage time winner with a 96th-minute goal from striker Gabriel Martinelli to send Samba through to the last 16 in one of the World Cup’s most exciting games226.
Japan’s tight organization complicated Brazil’s mission and put pressure on them, particularly in the first half, as coach Carlo Ancelotti’s side tried to protect their pride and hopes of reaching the furthest point at the World Cup to regain the title they have missed since 2002.
Japan ended the first half of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match against Brazil by taking the lead through Kaisho Sano’s 29th-minute clean sheet to surprise Samba, who were unable to break through an organized Japanese defense despite repeated attempts to reverse the result.
In the 29th minute, off a quick counterattack, Kaisho Sano rocketed a shot from outside the area past goalkeeper Alisson into the bottom left corner to give Japan the lead in one of the most dangerous attacks by an Asian team in the first half.
The goal came after a decisive pass by Rizzo Doan, shocking the Brazilian stands who were expecting their team to be in complete control.
Not only did Japan score in the first half, but they also displayed exceptional defense as goalkeeper Zion Suzuki blocked three dangerous shots.
Brazil’s attack, on the other hand, suffered from a cohesive defensive wall led by Shogo Taniguchi and Takehiro Tomiyasu, and managed to close down spaces and prevent attackers from getting into the area easily.
The second half in the ranks of Brazil began with an emergency substitution, as Lucas Paqueta left the field due to an injury, who was replaced by Endrik in the 45th minute. The opening minutes saw caution, with Bruno Guimarez getting a header in the 52nd minute but Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki brilliantly blocked it.
In the 53rd minute, Endrik missed a golden opportunity with a shot from the center of the pitch that went wide of the right post after a cross from Vinicius, then in the 54th minute Casemiro followed up with a header from close range, but it was deflected away by defenders.
The equalizer came in the 56th minute when Casemiro headed Gabriel Magallanes’ cross perfectly to slot home his first goal of the tournament.
Brazil’s fearsome pressure led to midfielder Casemiro’s brilliant header to equalize (1-1).#WorldCup2026 |: #WorldCup2026 |: #World Cup#FIFAWorldCup2026 |: #fifaworldcup |: #beINWC26 pic.twitter.com/KCZ94TFJCL
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 29, 2026
Brazil kept up the pressure in search of the winning goal as Vinicius sent a shot down the left flank in the 58th minute, but the Japanese keeper again shone and cleared the ball off the post and wide. Matheus Cunha then missed a chance outside the area before he came off and was replaced by Gabriel Martinelli in the 66th minute.
Suzuki and the goal post prevent Vinicius from scoring Brazil’s second goal #WorldCup2026 |: #WorldCup2026 |: #World Cup#FIFAWorldCup2026 |: #fifaworldcup |: #beINWC26 pic.twitter.com/van4JxmPLL
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 29, 2026
On the other hand, Japan did not give up on their counter-attacks as Ayase Ueda had a shot from the left wing in the 64th minute, but Allison blocked it. Japan also made a number of substitutions in the 66th minute as Yukinari Sugawara came on for Ritsu Doan, Shoto Machino came on for Junya Ito, Tanaka came on for Daichi Kamada in the 78th minute and Yonosuke Suzuki was booked for a foul in the 84th minute. On Danilo.
While everyone was waiting for the match to end in a draw and go to extra time, the Brazilian attack started in the 90th + 3 minutes when Brazil won a corner from Bruno Guimarez and Fabinho headed high, but the ball went high.
The Brazilian pressure then continued until the 90th+6th minute, when Bruno Guimarez played a clever ball to Gabriel Martinelli, who fired a right-footed shot from the center of the area into the bottom right corner for the winner, sending the stands at Houston Stadium into a frenzy.
Martinelli saves the Brazilian team at a crucial moment and scores the leading goal ⚽️🇧🇷🔥
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📱 https://t.co/alkogGtHdW#WorldCup2026 |: #WorldCup2026 |: #World Cup#beINWC26 |: #FIFAWorldCup2026 |: #fifaworldcup pic.twitter.com/R5jc2DFwjE— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) June 29, 2026
With this result, the winner of the match of the 32nd round between Norway and Ivory Coast awaits the Brazilian national team in the 1/8 finals.
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