Gabriel Martinelli scores late winner as Brazil holds off Japan
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 29, 2026, 7:12 PM
Last updated Jun 29, 2026
Brazil advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup with a late goal from Gabriel Martinelli, securing a 2-1 victory over Japan. Facing a 1-0 deficit at halftime, Brazil struggled against a quicker Japanese side. A tactical change after the break, along with the introduction of Endrick, facilitated Brazil's comeback as Casemiro equalized before Martinelli's decisive goal deep in injury time. Full match details will follow.
- •Brazil was trailing 1-0 at halftime.
- •Casemiro scored the equalizer in the second half.
- •Martinelli netted the winner in injury time.
- •Brazil faced Japan in the knockout round.
- •Match details will be reported later.
- 7:33 PMYahoo Sports — Martinelli scores late as Brazil beat Japan 2-1, enter World Cup last 16
- 7:12 PMThe Guardian Sport — Brazil into last 16 as Martinelli strikes in stoppage time to break Japan hearts
"Not for the first time in this tournament, there were long periods when Brazil did not impress. And not for the first time in this tournament, they got away with it. It may be inexplicable but the Carlo Ancelotti method that worked at Real Madrid is working again: stay in games and eventually either opponents will make a mistake or brilliant players will do something brilliant. Brazil were 1-0 down at half-time and struggling. Their earliest ever exit form a World Cup seemed entirely possible. Five players in the Brazil starting lineup were aged over 30, five of the six most defensive players – and they looked it. Japan were quicker, slicker, sharper and more imaginative. But the introduction of Endrick and a change of shape and approach at half-time changed everything. Brazil started slinging crosses into the box and Japan wobbled. Casemiro, barely a pedestrian in the first half, headed the equaliser and, deep into injury time, Gabriel Martinelli squeezed in the winner. Full report to follow Continue reading...
"Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal takes the five-time champions to the Round of 16, breaking Japanese hearts in Houston.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 29, 2026, 7:33 PMMartinelli scores late as Brazil beat Japan 2-1, enter World Cup last 16
Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal takes the five-time champions to the Round of 16, breaking Japanese hearts in Houston.
- The Guardian SportJun 29, 2026, 7:12 PMBrazil into last 16 as Martinelli strikes in stoppage time to break Japan hearts
Not for the first time in this tournament, there were long periods when Brazil did not impress. And not for the first time in this tournament, they got away with it. It may be inexplicable but the Carlo Ancelotti method that worked at Real Madrid is working again: stay in games and eventually either opponents will make a mistake or brilliant players will do something brilliant. Brazil were 1-0 down at half-time and struggling. Their earliest ever exit form a World Cup seemed entirely possible. Five players in the Brazil starting lineup were aged over 30, five of the six most defensive players – and they looked it. Japan were quicker, slicker, sharper and more imaginative. But the introduction of Endrick and a change of shape and approach at half-time changed everything. Brazil started slinging crosses into the box and Japan wobbled. Casemiro, barely a pedestrian in the first half, headed the equaliser and, deep into injury time, Gabriel Martinelli squeezed in the winner. Full report to follow Continue reading...
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