Brazil completed a remarkable World Cup comeback after Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time strike buried Japan in their gripping last-32 clash.
After a thrilling start from the Samurai Blue, which saw Kaishu Sano break the deadlock and stun the Selecao, Carlo Ancelotti’s team changed the game.
Vinicius Jr turned it on and Casemiro headed the five-time champions level.
But as Brazil bombarded the Japanese box with crosses, a delightful pass from Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes found Arsenal’s Martinelli, whose neat finish found its way just inside the far right post with five minutes of six added on expired.
Re-live all the action from this blockbuster last-32 World Cup tie below:
Selecao build momentum
We saw the best of Brazil after 45 minutes of the worst.
They were ragged in the first half and Casemiro delivered one of the worst halves seen at the tournament. But then he scored the equaliser and Ancelotti’s changes were decisive – their subs were fantastic, their drive once level impeccable.
And, whisper it, despite such obvious flaws there is now the sense of momentum building.
Blue Samurai depart
No idea why but we’re just being shown some performative nonsense from a Japan fan in the crowd. He handed his phone to someone else to film him before deciding to do a scream while surrounded by Brazil supporters.
Meanwhile, the Japan players are more genuinely upset on the pitch. They are gutted having looked so good for 45 minutes before the pressure eventually told. Talk of winning the World Cup in 2050 may be tempered a little more by the realisation that they are yet to win a knockout tie on the global stage.
Full-time! Brazil 2-1 Japan
101’ – Sugawara flings a long throw forward from the right. It’s cleared. And that’s the whistle. What a turnaround from the Selecao, who are into the last-16 and will face Ivory Coast or Norway next
Brazil 2-1 Japan
99’ – We’re playing on but Japan look finished. Their wait for a World Cup knockout win will go on for four more years.
Brazil 2-1 Japan
98’ – Subs for both.
The other Danilo, Santos, replaces the outstanding Bruno.
Ogawa replaces Maeda for Japan.
Brazil 2-1 Japan
97’ – It’s a simple goal, really, but clinical from the substitute and brilliant from Bruno who chooses to feed Martinelli at an 11 o’clock angle instead of shooting himself. The Arsenal player turns and controls before sending his strike towards the bottom right corner. Suzuki gets a touch but it goes in off the post.
GOAL! Brazil 2-1 Japan (Martinelli, 96)
And it looks like they have done it at the death. It’s heartbreak for Japan!
