Martinelli scores late as Brazil beat Japan 2-1, into World Cup last 16 | World Cup 2026 News
Brazil Advances to Round of 16 with Last-Minute Victory Over Japan
HOUSTON (June 29, 2026) — Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of injury time to secure a 2-1 victory for Brazil over Japan in the FIFA World Cup round of 32 on Monday.
Martinelli, who was substituted in during the second half, found the net just before the match was set to go into extra time. The win allows Brazil, five-time World Cup champions, to advance in the tournament.
Casemiro equalized for Brazil in the 56th minute with a header, finishing off an assist from Gabriel Magalhaes. His previous shot had narrowly missed the target just two minutes earlier, glancing just past Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Japan took the lead in the 29th minute when Kaishu Sano capitalized on a misplaced pass in midfield, launching a right-footed shot from outside the area.
Brazil had opportunities to level the score earlier in the second half, including a blocked header attempt from Bruno Guimaraes and a deflected shot from Casemiro that struck both a defender and Suzuki.
Despite the loss, Japan remains without a win in World Cup knockout matches. This defeat ends their 10-game unbeaten streak, which extended back to a loss against the United States in September.
Brazil has now won 12 of 15 encounters against Japan, with two matches resulting in draws. The only Japanese victory in this series came during a friendly match in October.
The match also highlighted the deep cultural ties between the two nations, as Brazil is home to approximately 2.7 million people of Japanese descent, the largest population outside Japan.
Brazil, which won Group C after a draw with Morocco and victories over Haiti and Scotland, will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the round of 16 on Sunday in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
This victory coincides with the anniversary of Brazil’s first World Cup title in 1958, when a 17-year-old Pelé scored twice in the final against Sweden.
Japan advanced to this stage as the runner-up in Group F, securing draws against the Netherlands and Sweden, and a win against Tunisia.