Gabriel Martinelli scored deep into stoppage time to hand five-time champions Brazil a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 in Houston on Monday, June 29, 2026.
The Arsenal forward, introduced in the second half, struck in the sixth minute of added time just as the match appeared destined for extra time.
Japan had taken a surprise lead in the 29th minute when Kaishu Sano intercepted a misplaced pass in midfield before firing a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area past the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Brazil responded after the break, with Casemiro heading home in the 56th minute from a Gabriel Magalhães assist. The effort slipped beyond the outstretched hand of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to level the score.
Vinícius Júnior, who has scored four goals in the tournament, came close to putting Brazil ahead two minutes later, but his shot from the left was tipped wide by Suzuki.
Brazil piled on the pressure throughout the second half. Suzuki first denied Bruno Guimarães with a fine save from a header in the 52nd minute before recovering after Casemiro’s earlier header deflected off a defender and struck him in the face.
With extra time looming, Martinelli latched onto a late opportunity and fired home in stoppage time to seal Brazil’s place in the Round of 16.
The victory extended Brazil’s impressive record against Japan to 12 wins in 15 meetings, with two draws and just one defeat.
The match also highlighted the strong historical ties between the two nations. Brazil is home to about 2.7 million people of Japanese descent—the largest Japanese community outside Japan. Those ties extend to football, where Brazilian legend Zico played a key role in developing the professional game in Japan after joining Kashima Antlers in 1991 and later coaching the Japanese national team from 2002 to 2006.
Brazil topped Group C after victories over Haiti and Scotland and a draw against Morocco. Monday’s win also came on the anniversary of Brazil’s first World Cup triumph in 1958, when a 17-year-old Pelé inspired the Seleção to victory over Sweden.
Japan reached the Round of 32 as runners-up in Group F after drawing with the Netherlands and Sweden and defeating Tunisia. The defeat also ended their 10-match unbeaten run, which stretched back to a 2-0 loss to the United States in September.
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Story by Xavier Mensah | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Erica Odeenyin Odoom
