---
title: "Martinelli's stoppage-time strike spares Brazil against stubborn Japan"
description: "Brazil avoided a major upset at the World Cup, beating Japan 2-1 thanks to a goal from Gabriel Martinelli deep into stoppage time, after the five-time champions had been pushed to the brink by a disciplined Japanese side in the round of 32."
category: "Sports"
category_url: https://newsparlor.com/category/sports
author: "Marcus Reed"
published: 2026-06-29T19:04:00.000Z
updated: 2026-06-29T19:04:00.000Z
canonical: https://newsparlor.com/article/brazil-japan-world-cup-martinelli-last-16
tags: ["world-cup-2026", "brazil", "japan", "soccer", "martinelli"]
---
# Martinelli's stoppage-time strike spares Brazil against stubborn Japan

Brazil avoided a major upset at the World Cup, beating Japan 2-1 thanks to a goal from Gabriel Martinelli deep into stoppage time, after the five-time champions had been pushed to the brink by a disciplined Japanese side in the round of 32.

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](https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20260629-world-cup-2026-brazil-beat-japan-with-last-gasp-martinelli-goal-to-reach-last-16).

## 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](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49217693/brazil-survive-world-cup-scare-japan-advance). 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.