Martinelli Stoppage-Time Winner Rescues Brazil Against Japan
Match statistics
View knockout bracket →- Kaishu Sano 29'
- Casemiro 56'(Gabriel Magalhães)
- Gabriel Martinelli 90+5'(Bruno Guimarães)
- Casemiro 14'
- Danilo Luiz 48'
- Daichi Kamada 45'
- Junnosuke Suzuki 84'
HT 0–1|Poss 69–31%|Shots 19–5|SOT 7–2
MOTM: Casemiro
Mon, Jun 29, 2026 • 16:30 (Foxborough local)
Brazil beat Japan 2–1 at Houston Stadium after fighting back from a first-half deficit. Kaishu Sano punished a loose Casemiro pass to put Japan ahead on 29 minutes, Casemiro atoned with a header from Gabriel Magalhães's cross on 56 minutes, and substitute Gabriel Martinelli swept in Bruno Guimarães's pass in the fifth minute of stoppage time to avoid extra time.
Brazil finished with 69% possession, 19 shots and seven on target to Japan's five and two in front of 68,777 fans. Casemiro was named Superior Player of the Match. Japan were eliminated for a third consecutive World Cup after leading in the knockout rounds — following defeats to Croatia in 2022 and Belgium in 2018.
Brazil advance to the round of 16 and will face Norway in Houston. The Selecao became the first team through to the last 16, while Japan's wait for a first-ever World Cup knockout victory continues despite another spirited display under Hajime Moriyasu.