Martinelli rescues Brazil with stoppage-time winner against Japan

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·29. Juni 2026

Martinelli rescues Brazil with stoppage-time winner against Japan

Brazil completed a dramatic comeback to beat Japan 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 16, securing their place in the quarter-finals with a stoppage-time winner. Trailing to Kaishu Sano's 29th-minute strike, the five-time world champions responded through Casimiro's headed equalizer in the 56th minute before Gabriel Martinelli struck the decisive blow in the 90+5' minute.

Bruno Guimarães provided the assist that unlocked Japan's defence in the dying moments, extending his tournament-leading tally to four. Japan's disciplined defensive structure had frustrated Brazil for long spells, but a costly error in midfield proved their undoing as the Samurai Blue exited at the knockout stage once again. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Brazil v Japan.

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Winners

Bruno Guimarães (Brazil)

Bruno Guimarães delivered the moment that defined Brazil's victory, threading a precise pass through Japan's defence for Gabriel Martinelli to score the winner in the 90+5' minute. His vision and execution under pressure proved the difference between knockout heartbreak and quarter-final progression.

The midfielder was central to Brazil's attacking threat throughout, coming close himself in the 3rd minute when his deflected shot grazed past the post. His header in the 52nd minute forced an outstanding save from Zion Suzuki, and his passing consistently unlocked Japan's compact defensive block during the second-half siege.

With four assists at the tournament, Bruno Guimarães has become the creative heartbeat of Ancelotti's Brazil. His ability to find pockets of space and deliver decisive final balls has transformed possession into genuine danger, and his contribution against Japan ensured the Selecao remain in contention for a sixth world title.

Gabriel Martinelli (Brazil)

Gabriel Martinelli wrote himself into World Cup folklore with the winning goal deep into stoppage time. The substitute found space between Yukinari Sugawara and Takehiro Tomiyasu to latch onto Bruno Guimarães' pass and calmly slot past Zion Suzuki with his right foot in the 90+5' minute.

Introduced for Matheus Cunha in the 66th minute, Martinelli provided fresh energy and movement across the forward line. An earlier effort in the 78th minute went off target, but he remained in dangerous positions, anticipating the chance that would eventually arrive in the final moments.

His clinical finish spared Brazil the prospect of extra time in a match that had seemed destined for additional periods. Martinelli's composure in the most pressurised situation vindicated Ancelotti's substitution and sent Brazil into the quarter-finals with renewed belief.

Loser

Ao Tanaka (Japan)

Ao Tanaka's introduction was designed to help Japan protect their hard-earned position, but instead his error proved catastrophic. The midfielder lost possession in the buildup to Brazil's winning goal, with Rayan dispossessing him before feeding Bruno Guimarães for the decisive assist.

Entering in the 78th minute as a replacement for Daichi Kamada, Tanaka was tasked with providing fresh legs and defensive stability in central midfield. His inability to retain possession under pressure in the closing stages directly gifted Brazil the chance they needed to complete their comeback.

The mistake ended Japan's tournament at the Round of 16 for the fifth consecutive time. After his teammates had defended valiantly for over 90 minutes, Tanaka's momentary lapse proved the difference between historic progress and familiar knockout-stage heartbreak for the Samurai Blue.