Brazil Beats Japan In World Cup Thriller
Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in a thrilling 2026 World Cup Round of 32 match in Houston, with substitute Gabriel Martinelli scoring the winner in stoppage time to send the five-time champions through to the next round.
Brazil, ranked sixth globally, faced Japan in the final 32-team round of the 2026 World Cup on June 30 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Five-time World Cup champions and Group C winners Brazil, managed by Carlo Ancelotti in a 4-3-3 formation, fielded superstars including Alisson Becker, Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Douglas Santos, Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, Raphinha, Vinicius Junior, and Mateus Cunha.
Japan's manager Hajime Moriyasu deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation with players including Sion Suzuki, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito, Risu Douan, Kaishu Sano, Daichi Kamada, Kaito Nakamura, Daisen Maeda, Junya Ito, and Ayase Ueda.
Brazil controlled the ball throughout the first half and created numerous chances, but Japan struck first in the 29th minute when Kaishu Sano scored to put Japan ahead 1-0. Brazil fought back in the second half, with Casemiro equalizing in the 56th minute at 1-1. The match appeared headed to extra time until Gabriel Martinelli, coming off the bench, scored in the 90+6th minute to secure Brazil's 2-1 victory and Round of 16 qualification. Brazil will face the winner of the Ivory Coast versus Norway match on July 6 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
