Brazil Edge Past Plucky Japan as Martinelli Strikes Late
Brazil needed everything they had to see off a stubborn Japan side in Houston, eventually winning 2-1 thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli in a cracking Round of 32 tie.
Japan made the early running and took a deserved lead through Kaishu Sano, who pounced on a loose Brazilian pass, drove forward and rifled a shot past Alisson from the edge of the box. The Samurai Blue defended superbly after that, with keeper Zion Suzuki in fine form, and for long spells it looked as though Brazil might be heading for an almighty shock.
The five-time champions kept knocking, though, and got their reward midway through the second half. Casemiro rose to head home from a Gabriel Magalhães delivery in the 56th minute, levelling things up and giving Brazil's bench a much-needed lift. Vinícius Júnior almost put them ahead soon after, only to see his effort cannon off the post with Suzuki getting a touch.
With extra time looming, Brazil finally found a way through. Bruno Guimarães slipped a pass to Gabriel Martinelli deep into stoppage time, and the Arsenal forward kept his composure to slot past Suzuki and send the Brazilian bench into delirium.
Japan can be proud of their effort – they matched Brazil for long periods and gave the South Americans a real fright. But Brazil's quality told in the end, and they now move into the Round of 16, where they'll face the winner of Côte d'Ivoire and Norway.
A hard-fought, nerve-shredding night for the Seleção – but they're through.
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