The “Canarinha” advances. The Brazilian team was on the ropes this Monday in Houston against Japan, but a headed goal from Casemiro and one from Gabriel Martinelli in the 96th minute gave them a vital 2-1 victory that sent Carlo Ancelotti’s team to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup in a heart-stopping ending.
Japan enjoyed a feat for history when they took the lead thanks to Kaishu Sano at half an hour, but Brazil, with enormous suffering, managed to turn the score around in the second half to prolong their path in this World Cup.
The “Verdeamarelha”, in which Neymar Junior was on the bench for ninety minutes, will be the rival of the winner between Norway and Ivory Coast in the round of 16.
He will reach that round with enormous relief, but also with homework to do after an overall gray performance and rescued with more pride than technique.
Around the NRG Stadium there was a mix of enthusiasm and tension for a game with no turning back, against a Japan that came into this round undefeated, after adding worthy draws against the Netherlands and Sweden and a resounding victory against Tunisia. And it was noticed on the field.
Brazil controlled the ball, but did so with little rhythm, without taking risks, and Japan was able to settle and show off its organization and tactical preparation.
Brazil’s control of the ball only served to create a danger for Ancelotti’s men, with a shot from outside the area by Matheus Cunha that goalkeeper Zuzuki sent for a corner. But Japan felt comfortable on the field. He competed with patience and order and waited for the moment to dare.
It was a mistake in Danilo’s ball delivery to offer Japan the best opportunity. Sano intercepted the pass in the center of the field, advanced to the edge of the area and struck down Alisson with a perfect low shot from his right foot. It was the 29th minute and Brazil found itself against the wall.
A pressure that ended up causing a regression in the “Canarinha”. Unable to react, Brazil played even more timidly, while Japan gained confidence until they took possession of the ball and moved it at will against a rival without answers. The presence of Ronaldinho, sitting in a box at the Texan stadium, further accentuated the contrast between past glory and current difficulties.
Martinelli, saving change
A reaction was needed and, at half-time, Ancelotti decided to make way for Endrick for Paquetá. Brazil took the field with the aggressiveness that it lacked in the first half, locked Japan in its half of the field and put physicality into play, with a series of crosses that it lacked in the first half.
He had a prize. Because after a great save by Suzuki on Bruno Guimaraes and a clearance under the sticks by Tomiyasu, Casemiro received a cross from Gabriel at the far post and sent it with a header into the back of the net to shake Brazil to 1-1. It was the 55th minute and the “Canarinha” retaliated.
Vinicius made his first great move four minutes later, a stratospheric slalom that ended with a shot from the outside of the right that ended up on the post after a saving intervention by Suzuki.
After the hydration break, Ancelotti gave way to Martinelli, preferred to Neymar Junior, and his team continued pushing, but with less forcefulness compared to the initial impetus.
Brazil felt the pressure again, and even more so when its leader Casemiro retired due to a groin injury, replaced by Fabinho.
The spectators were preparing for extra time, but in the sixth minute of added time, Bruno Guimaraes found light to give Martinelli the winning assist. The winger’s shot, touched by Suzuki, ended up in the back of the net after hitting the Asian post.
A matter of centimeters that gave Brazil a place in the round and left Japan without glory.
This is how they aligned
– Brazil (2): Alisson; Danilo, Gabriel Magalhaes, Marquinhos and Douglas Santos; Lucas Paquetá (Endrick, m.46), Casemiro (Fabinho, m.92) and Bruno Guimaraes (Danilo Santos, m.97); Rayan, Matheus Cunha (Martinelli, m.66) and Vinicius Junior.
– DT: Carlo Ancelotti (Italian).
– Japan (1): Zion Suzuki Takehiri Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito; Ritsu Doan (Sugawara, m.65), Kaishu Sano, Daichi Kamada (Tanaka, m.75), Keito Nakamura (J. Suzuki, m.66); Junya Ito (Machino, m.75), Ayase Ueda and Daizen Maeda (Ogawa, m.98).
– DT: Hajime Moriyasu.
– Goals: 0-1, m.29: Healthy. 1-1,m.55: Casemiro. 2-1, m:96: Martinelli.
– Referee: Maurizio Mariani (ITA). He showed yellow card to Casemiro (m.15), from Brazil, and Sano (m.12), Kamada (m.45) and Junnusuke Suzuki (m.84), from Japan.
– Incidents: Match corresponding to the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup played at the NRG Stadium in Houston (Texas) before 68,777 spectators.
