Brazil come from behind to beat Japan 2-1 and reach last 16 | OneFootball

In a thrilling match decided in the 51st minute of stoppage time, the Brazilian National Team came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in the World Cup Round of 32 and secured a place in the Round of 16. The Japanese side opened the scoring in the first half, but Brazil fought back and found the net twice through Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli.

In front of more than 68,000 fans at Houston Stadium, Brazil showed resilience, perseverance, and technical quality to eliminate Japan. They were the better side throughout and could have won by a bigger margin.

The Seleção now awaits the winner of the clash between Norway and Ivory Coast to find out its opponent in the next knockout round. Carlo Ancelotti’s team returns to the field on Sunday (5) at 5 p.m. Brasília time, in New Jersey.

Brazil and Japan face off in the World Cup Round of 32Credits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

In the very first minute, the Seleção won the ball back high up the pitch and, after a one-two with Rayan, Bruno Guimarães got his shot away. The good chance was enough to fire up the crowd.

Throughout the match, Brazil had to stay patient and move the ball around more quickly, as Japan’s defense was very compact, making it difficult for Brazil to break through.

In the 13th minute, Casemiro found Matheus Cunha at the edge of the box. Wearing the No. 9 shirt, he created space and struck a low left-footed shot, but goalkeeper Suzuki did well and pushed the ball out for a corner.

Japan opened the scoring in the 28th minute. After a misplaced pass during a Brazilian counterattack, Sano won the ball, surged forward, and placed a shot into the corner, making it difficult for Alisson to save.

Vini Jr. caused problems for the Japanese defenseCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

After Japan’s goal, Brazil found it even harder to locate the right spaces, as their opponents became even more compact.

Brazil came back with more intensity in the second half. In the eighth minute, Rayan crossed to Douglas Santos at the far post, the full-back controlled it, and Casemiro headed it from inside the six-yard box, but Tomiyasu cleared it off the line. Soon after, the Seleção finally found the net with another header from Casemiro. Vini Jr. played it to Gabriel Magalhães, who crossed onto the head of the No. 5 to level the match.

Brazil continued to enjoy more possession, while Japan looked for another goal on the counterattack. Endrick and Gabriel Martinelli came on to add more firepower. In stoppage time, Rayan won the ball back in attack and played it to Bruno Guimarães. The midfielder set up Gabriel Martinelli one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and the No. 22 scored Brazil’s second to seal qualification.

Carlo Ancelotti, head coach of the Brazilian National Team, during the match between Brazil and JapanCredits: Rafael Ribeiro/CBF

MATCH REPORT

Japan 1 : 2 BRAZIL (1:0)

Competition: World Cup

Venue: Houston Stadium, Houston (USA)

Gate receipts: not disclosed. Attendance: 68,777

Goals: Sano (28'), Casemiro (54') and Gabriel Martinelli (90'+4')

Yellow cards: Casemiro and Danilo

Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy). Assistant referees: Daniele Bindoni (Italy) and Alberto Tegoni (Italy). VAR: Marco Di Bello (Italy)

BRAZIL: Alisson; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhães and Douglas Santos; Casemiro (Fabinho, 90'), Bruno Guimarães (Danilo Santos, 96') and Lucas Paquetá (Endrick, halftime); Rayan, Matheus Cunha (Gabriel Martinelli, 75') and Vini Jr. Coach: Carlo Ancelotti

JAPAN: Zion Suzuki; Shogo Taniguchi, Ritsu Doan (Sugawara, 75'), Daizen Maeda (Ogawa, 96'), Keito Nakamura (Junnosuke Suzuki, 75'), Junya Ito (Machino, 77'), Daichi Kamada (Tanaka, 77'), Ayase Ueda, Hiroki Ito, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kaishu Sano. Coach: Hajime Moriyasu.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.