Carlo Ancelotti came to the FIFA World Cup with one glaring omission from an otherwise glittering managerial CV. To win the World Cup is the final frontier after conquering Europe multiple times and winning virtually every major club honour. His Brazil side showed the resilience that champions are made of, fighting back to beat Japan 2-1 with a dramatic Gabriel Martinelli stoppage-time winner to secure their place in the Round of 16 on Monday in Houston.
Only four of the players who started in Brazil’s shock 3-2 loss to Japan in 2025 were named in Ancelotti’s XI, highlighting just how far the Seleção have come. But for long periods Japan showed once again why they are one of the most disciplined sides at the world stage.
Brazil dominated possession from the first whistle, holding nearly 68 per cent of the ball in the first half, but Japan’s compact defensive structure and relentless marking kept Vinicius Jr unusually quiet. Brazil waited for chances and Japan waited for the perfect counter-attack.
It came just after the hydration break. In the 29th minute, a heavy pass by Danilo left Kaishu Sano running through the midfield, beating Casemiro and firing a low finish past Alisson Becker to stun the packed Houston crowd.
Brazil dominated possession but went in at the break behind as Japan dictated the tempo whenever they won the ball back.
Ancelotti reacted by bringing on Endrick for Lucas Paquetá at half-time and that changed the intensity of Brazil’s attack. Successive waves of pressure eventually worked in the 56th minute as Gabriel Magalhaes played a ball into the box for Casemiro to atone for his difficult first-half display by slotting home the equaliser.
Two minutes later, Vinicius Jr went close to one of the goals of the tournament, weaving past two defenders before seeing his delicate toe-poked effort brilliantly tipped onto the post by Zion Suzuki.
Brazil’s burgeoning air superiority put a lot of pressure on the Japanese goal as they peppered the box with crosses. Bruno Guimarães picked up his fourth assist of the tournament to find Gabriel Martinelli, who finished off in the 96th minute to send Brazil into the Round of 16.
Japan’s energy and organisation pushed Brazil to their limits but Ancelotti’s side found what mattered most when it counted: determination. Brazil will now play either Norway or Ivory Coast for a place in the last eight.
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