Brazil 2-1 Japan: Martinelli's Last-Minute Screamer Sends Seleção Into Round of 16

For 90 minutes, Japan made the world believe.

Then Gabriel Martinelli happened.

The Arsenal forward — on as a substitute for just 24 minutes — received a precise through ball from Bruno Guimarães in the 95th minute and fired a finish past the Japanese goalkeeper to send Brazil through. 2-1. The Seleção are alive, but they were made to work harder than anyone expected.

Japan may have lost. But this performance confirmed they are one of the most difficult teams to play in this tournament.

Match Summary

Brazil 2-1 Japan NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas | June 29, 2026 Round of 32

Goals:

• Kaishu Sano 29' (Japan)
• Casemiro 56' (Brazil, assisted by Gabriel Magalhães)
• Gabriel Martinelli 90'+5 (Brazil, assisted by Bruno Guimarães)

How It Happened

Brazil arrived in Houston as heavy favourites — Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded squad were expected to win comfortably. Japan, compact and organised, arrived with nothing to lose.

In the 29th minute, Kaishu Sano scored one of the goals of the tournament. Rising from above the half-circle of the penalty area, Sano struck a right-footed shot that curved perfectly past Alisson. Japan 1-0 Brazil. The upset was on.

For the rest of the first half, Japan defended brilliantly — deep, organised, and dangerous on the counter through Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma, who had caused Brazil's defence constant problems throughout the group stage.

At half-time, Brazil were behind. The dressing room conversation, whatever it was, worked.

Casemiro — the Manchester United midfielder who has been Brazil's most important player throughout the tournament — headed in from a Gabriel Magalhães assist in the 56th minute to level at 1-1. Brazil had equalised, but Japan did not collapse. They kept pressing, kept probing, kept the Seleção uncomfortable.

The drama came in injury time.

Bruno Guimarães, another Man City product driving Brazil's midfield, found Martinelli in behind. The substitute — who had changed the game since coming on in the 66th minute — cut inside and finished. 2-1. Brazil survive.

Japan: A Performance to Be Proud Of

Japan were magnificent for large parts of this match. Hajime Moriyasu's side pressed intelligently, defended with discipline, and created genuine chances against one of the world's top teams.

Sano's goal was extraordinary. Mitoma was dangerous throughout. This is a Japan team that should be respected — not just as a story, but as a genuine football force.

They leave the tournament with heads held high.

Brazil's Concerns Ahead of Norway

Carlo Ancelotti will not have been satisfied with how Brazil played. A last-minute winner against Japan is a result — not a performance.

Norway await in the Round of 16 on July 5 at MetLife Stadium. Erling Haaland — who scored the winning goal against Ivory Coast in the 86th minute and has now reached 60 international goals in 53 matches — is the most dangerous striker in the world.

Brazil's defence, which was exposed by Japan at moments, will need to be significantly better.

But Brazil have quality throughout their squad. Martinelli, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães — Ancelotti has options. They will be better. They usually are.

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