Brazil booked their place in the World Cup 2026 last 16 after a dramatic comeback against Japan, capped by Gabriel Martinelli’s 95th-minute winner. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were 1-0 down at half-time and struggling, but a second-half transformation—sparked by the introduction of Endrick and a change of shape—turned the tie around as Casemiro headed the equaliser before Martinelli broke Japan hearts late on.
The result keeps intact Brazil’s record of always reaching the last 16 at a World Cup, while Japan were left to reflect on what was described as surely their best performance at the tournament, even as their wait for a first World Cup knockout win continues.
Japan’s first-half plan works as Brazil labour
For long stretches of the opening period, Brazil did not impress. With five players in the starting lineup aged over 30 and five of the six defensive players in that bracket, they looked it: Japan were quicker, slicker, sharper and more imaginative. Brazil had early possession, but beyond a low Matheus Cunha shot that Zion Suzuki pushed wide, they struggled to create clear openings.
Japan, meanwhile, grew into the contest and began to threaten. Ayase Ueda headed a corner just over, and then the breakthrough arrived with 29 minutes played. Danilo’s attempt to work the ball to the left was intercepted by Kaishu Sano, who surged past Casemiro—an earlier booking perhaps making him wary—and fired a low shot into the corner from just outside the box.
Japan’s approach out of possession was notably compact, pressing in bursts and limiting Brazil’s key threats. Vinícius Júnior was barely involved in the first half, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ritsu Doan highlighted for their work in shutting down the channel where he likes to operate. At the interval, Brazil were behind and the prospect of an early exit felt real.
Ancelotti’s changes flip the match after the break
Ancelotti responded at half-time with changes that “completely transformed the game.” Endrick’s introduction and a switch to a 4-2-3-1 triggered a Brazilian surge, with the new approach built largely around crosses into the box. The pressure quickly mounted: a Bruno Guimarães header drew a fine save, and Casemiro had an effort cleared off the line that almost cannoned back in off Suzuki.
The equaliser felt inevitable and arrived after 56 minutes. Gabriel Magalhães chipped the ball in and Casemiro powered home a header. Brazil continued to press, and Vinícius nearly put them ahead when he shimmied in from the left, only for Suzuki to deflect his flicked shot on to the post with his left hand.
Japan’s manager, Hajime Moriyasu, reacted by changing his two wing-backs, and the flow of chances was staunched to an extent. But Japan’s first-half threat had largely disappeared, and the momentum belonged to Brazil as the match moved into its closing stages.
Martinelli delivers the late winner in stoppage time
With Brazil pushing and Japan forced deeper, the winner seemed a matter of time—and it arrived deep into stoppage time. In the 95th minute, Ao Tanaka was dispossessed on the edge of his own box. When the ball was worked across the area, Guimarães showed composure to wait and then lay it left for Martinelli, who squeezed in the decisive finish.
For Japan, it was another painful knockout defeat and a continuation of a long-running barrier: they have never won a World Cup knockout match, something Moriyasu has acknowledged has become a psychological issue. Still, the report stressed that it would be unfair to say Japan froze; rather, they ran into a Brazil side whose manager had worked them out and whose quality eventually told.
What the win means for Brazil and who they play next
Brazil are through and will face the winners of Tuesday’s match between Côte d’Ivoire and Norway. The performance again raised questions—particularly after a first half that exposed weaknesses, especially in midfield—but the second-half transformation was described as profound. Once Brazil hit their rhythm, their attacking quality was clear.
There remains the sense that Brazil are “flirting with danger,” yet the same pattern has worked before under Ancelotti. This time, it delivered another escape and another step towards the ultimate prize, keeping alive the possibility that a sixth World Cup title may be within reach.