sports
Brazil into last 16 as Martinelli strikes in stoppage time to break Japan hearts
Not for the first time in this tournament, there were long periods when Brazil did not impress. And not for the first time in this tournament, they got away with it. It may be inexplicable but the Carlo Ancelotti method that worked at Real Madrid is working again: stay in games and eventually either opponents will make a mistake or brilliant players will do something brilliant.
TL;DR
- Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in a World Cup knockout match to advance to the last 16.
- Japan led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a goal from Kaishu Sano.
- Brazil's second-half substitutions, particularly Endrick, and a change in formation transformed the game.
- Casemiro scored the equalizer, and Gabriel Martinelli netted the winning goal in stoppage time.
- Japan's manager, Hajime Moriyasu, acknowledged a psychological issue regarding winning knockout matches.
- Brazil, the most successful team in World Cup history, has never failed to reach the last 16 before this tournament.
- Despite the loss, Japan is recognized as a gifted side that performed well, even with injuries.
- Brazil will face the winner of the match between Côte d’Ivoire and Norway in the next round.