Martinelli breaks Japan hearts with 96th-minute winner as Brazil progress | OneFootball

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

Gabriel Martinelli broke Japan hearts with a 96th-minute winner to send Brazil through to the round of 16 of the World Cup and end Samurai Blue’s 10-game unbeaten run.

Kaishu Sano punished the five-time winners’ cheap giveaway as they once again failed to get going, much like against Morocco in their opening match, but Casemiro headed his team level after first being denied by a miraculous goal-line clearance.

Japan held a fierce resistance to repel attack after attack from Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but let their guard down for the first time in 96 minutes allowing Martinelli to slot in the winner with help of the post to prolong the dark horses’ wait for a knockout win.

Brazil quickly found out just how little room they had around Japan’s penalty area as Bruno Guimaraes was crowded out and saw his shot deflected wide, before Casemiro found Matheus Cunha and his effort was tipped around the post by Zion Suzuki.

Japan on the other hand managed to breach Seleção’s midfield line and earned a free kick for a clumsy swipe from behind by Casemiro, who earned his second booking of the tournament but let off by Daichi Kamada hitting the base of the wall.

Reluctant to take lectures from Japan’s warning, Brazil were left stunned when Danilo sloppily gave it away to Sano on halfway and the midfielder fired past Alisson and into the bottom left following a fearless sprint through the middle.

Carlo Ancelotti evidently told his side to adopt more width in the second half to pile crosses into the box towards substitute Endo, but it was Casemiro who had his header somehow cleared off the line by Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The former Manchester united midfielder wouldn’t be denied a second time, however, rising at the back post to power a bullet header past Zion Suzuki – who earlier had made a good save to deny Guimaraes – to level for Brazil after 56 minutes.

Brought back to life by the equalizer, Vinícius took the ball under his spell with a world-class first touch through the legs of his marker, danced his way into the box from the left and forced Suzuki into a wonderful save to tip his shot onto the post.

Japanese legs soon tired and were under siege for much of the closing stages, with rare instances where they managed to break away ending with Brazil easily dealing with the danger, but Samurai Blue kept their discipline to protect the box.

Yet they weren’t able to make it through eight long additional minutes and to extra time, switching off when Guimaraes collected the ball on the edge of the box and slotted in substitute Martinelli to caress home the winner right at the death.

Hajime Moriyasu’s side have charmed fans around the world with their bold, free-flowing style of football, but ultimately bet their match as Brazil avoided another embarrassing World Cup exit and squeezed through to the round of 16.

Seleção will face either the Ivory Coast or Japan’s fellow dark horses Norway, and despite grinding out the necessary result must fix their inability to properly start fixtures if they are to improve their chances of a sixth World Cup triumph.

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Japan analysis: Samurai Blue impress in round of 32 heartbreak

Japan once again proved why they have the right to reserve the title of World Cup dark horses, even now they have been eliminated from the tournament.

They were as fearless in their approach as they were throughout the group stage, showcasing their discipline both in the forward press and drive to get back into shape after a turnover with how fluid Hajime Moriyasu’s team were in possession.

Kaishu Sano embodied the ethos with which Japan have charmed the footballing world, breaking forward with intent and taking his opportunity when presented it by Danilo’s lax pass on halfway, still having an awful lot to do before he could apply the finish.

Brazil had been scoring for fun against both Haiti and Scotland, and although both are considered much weaker opponents Japan thoroughly impressed with their staunch resistance.

It was the doubling up on Vinícius Júnior, their willingness to track back and break away with pace. Moriyasu’s team barely put a foot wrong and the tears at full-time showed just how close they were to one of the biggest World Cup shocks for some time.

Japan may well have over-estimated how long they could withstand a full-blown assault on Zion Suzuki’s goal in the second half, but can leave with their heads high knowing that they might not have to wait much longer for a victory in the World Cup knockouts.

Brazil – Japan Live Score