Brazil left it desperately late to reach the last 16 of the World Cup, with Gabriel Martinelli's goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time sealing a 2-1 win over Japan and sparing the record five-time champions a shock exit, France 24 reported.
Japan strike first
It was Japan who lit up the knockout tie. In the 29th minute, Kaishu Sano pounced on a misplaced Brazilian pass and finished crisply to put the underdogs ahead, as ESPN reported. The lead was no fluke: Japan, increasingly one of the most respected sides outside the traditional powers, defended with organization and discipline, frustrating a Brazilian attack that struggled to break through.
Casemiro levels
Brazil regrouped after the interval and slowly turned the screw. The equalizer arrived in the 56th minute, when the veteran midfielder Casemiro rose to meet a cross and powered a header home, settling Brazilian nerves and tilting the momentum. From there the South Americans pressed for a winner, but Japan held firm, and as the match wore into its closing minutes a penalty shootout loomed.
A winner at the death
Then came the release. With the game deep into added time, Martinelli collected a pass from Bruno Guimarães inside the box and drove a low shot into the corner, touching off wild celebrations on the Brazilian bench. It was the cruelest of endings for Japan, whose resilience had carried them to the very edge of one of the tournament's biggest results.
What's next
Brazil now advance to the round of 16, where they will face the winner of the tie between Norway and Ivory Coast. The Seleção will know they were far from their best — outplayed for long stretches by a Japan side that will leave the tournament with its reputation enhanced — but in knockout football, survival is what counts. For the most successful nation in World Cup history, chasing a sixth title, the escape act keeps the dream alive.
