FIFA World Cup 2026: Martinelli’s last-gasp goal takes Brazil past Japan into pre-quarterfinals

For nearly an hour here, Brazil stood on the brink of yet another World Cup heartbreak.

Japan had silenced the yellow wall, bent the rhythm of the match to its own courage and left the five-time champion searching for answers. Then Brazil summoned the quality that has defined it for generations.

Brazil vs Japan, FIFA World Cup Highlights

At the NRG Stadium on Monday (June 29, 2026), Carlo Ancelotti’s side survived a major scare to beat Japan 2-1 and book its place in the World Cup round of 16, with Gabriel Martinelli striking late after Casemiro had cancelled out Kaishu Sano’s stunning first-half opener.

For 28 minutes, Japan’s supporters had been drowned out by a sea of yellow. In the 29th, they found their voice.

Sano seized possession in midfield and embarked on a dazzling run through the centre. He skipped past Casemiro and surged between two more Brazilian defenders before calmly guiding his finish beyond the outstretched Alisson Becker. The few thousand clad in blue erupted, while the rest of the stadium had suddenly lost its voice.

Japan’s goal-scorer Kaishu Sano reacts after the World Cup round of 32 match between Brazil and Japan in Houston
| Photo Credit:
AP

Until then, Brazil had carried the greater threat. Inside the home of the Houston Texans, chants of “Brasil, Brasil” rolled around the stadium, easily overwhelming the small pocket of Samurai Blue supporters. Brazil repeatedly looked to exploit Japan’s defensive line, with Danilo finding space behind it from searching balls over the top. Zion Suzuki was called into action in the 11th minute, diving low to his right to keep out Matheus Cunha’s curling effort.

Japan, however, stayed compact and disciplined.

Vinicius Junior, already with four goals in the tournament, was kept bottled up on the left, with Hajime Moriyasu’s tactical reshuffle gradually giving a foothold to his side.

After the goal, Brazil laid siege, while Japan defended deep, throwing bodies in the way of every shot and cross as wave after wave of Brazilian attacks crashed against an unyielding wall.

Brazil emerged after the interval with renewed intent. Endrick, who had spent much of the break going through his paces on the touchline, was introduced to inject pace and directness into the attack.

The change had an immediate impact as Brazil stretched Japan from flank to flank. Bruno Guimaraes was the first to threaten in the 51st minute, but his header flew straight at Suzuki. Moments later, panic engulfed the Japanese six-yard box as the ball ricocheted through a crowd before finally being hacked clear.

The reprieve, however, didn’t last long.

Casemiro, finally, restored parity in the 56th minute, climbing above the Japanese defence to power home a header from another inviting cross.

Yet the equaliser did little to alter the pattern. Brazil refused to relent, forcing Japan ever deeper into its own half. Every clearance only invited another assault, with every block just delaying the inevitable.

The breakthrough, when it finally arrived in the fifth minute of stoppage time, felt less like a bolt from the blue and more a culmination of the relentless pressure. Substitute Martinelli carved open the Japanese defence before steering the winner beyond Suzuki, completing Brazil’s comeback and ending one of the most courageous defensive performances of the tournament.

The final whistle brought contrasting emotions. Japan left Houston, despite the defeat, with its footballing stature further enhanced, while for Brazil the journey for the sixth star goes on.