Brazil v Japan – World Cup Round of 32 result as Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time strike sends Brazil through to the last 16

Brazil battled back from a goal down in Houston to eventually sink Japan in stoppage time and secure their berth in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

After a positive start, Brazil fell behind just before the half-hour mark when Kaishu Sano intercepted a loose pass and surged towards the edge of the penalty area before firing a low shot into the bottom corner to put Japan ahead.

After a first half that saw his side look off the pace and out of sorts, Carlo Ancelotti made some tactical adjustments, including the introduction of the lively Endrick up front. And with Brazil changing their approach, replacing neat interplay with crosses into the box, the Selecao finally found the equaliser on 56 minutes.

Casemiro had just seen a point-blank header blocked on the goal-line when he rose highest at the back post to plant a header into the far corner to draw Brazil level. Then, moments later, Vinicius Jr was denied a potential goal of the tournament by a brilliant fingertip stop by Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki, who had an outstanding game between the sticks for the Samurai Blue.

With Japan dropping deep to hold on for extra time, Brazil poured on the pressure in the closing stages, and eventually got their reward deep into stoppage time when Bruno Guimaraes found Gabriel Martinelli in the box. The Arsenal forward took a touch and placed his effort into the bottom corner, via Suzuki's fingertips and the inside of the post, to send the Brazilian fans into wild scenes of celebration.

Brazil's victory means they progress to the last 16 of the tournament, where they will head to New Jersey to face the winner of the Cote d'Ivoire v Norway match that will take place on Tuesday evening.

After a superb game in Houston, who gets your vote for the Player of the Match?

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Japan are robbed on the edge of their own box, and Bruno Guimaraes finds Gabriel Martinelli with time and space in the penalty area.

There's no question of offside as he takes a touch and guides the ball into the far corner, off the inside of the post.

Japan's decision to sit deep has come back to bite them, and Brazil finally lead in stoppage time.

There will be SIX minutes of additional time at the end of this match, and Casemiro is down. It looks like Fabinho is about to come on to replace him.

Japan are sitting VERY deep and inviting pressure in these final few minutes, and Brazil are knocking on the door.

Vinicius Jr gets the ball on the edge of the area, cuts inside and fires a deflected effort wide of goal.

It's one-way traffic in Houston as we head towards stoppage time...

We're into the final five minutes of normal time here in Houston, with extra time, and possibly penalties, looming.

Here's everything you need to know about what happens if we're still level at full-time.

For all of Brazil's reputation for free-flowing football, it's been good, old-fashioned crosses into the box that have had the biggest impact in this second half.

Given that fact, it wouldn't be a huge surprise if Ancelotti opted to throw on big Brentford hitman Igor Thiago at some stage here.

It's been almost all Brazil in the second half, but Japan just broke forward and, with players waiting in the box, Nakamura opted to surprise everyone with a long-range effort from the angle.

It's on target, but Alisson was wise to it and saved well.

Brazil are purring now, and Vini Jr very nearly scored the goal of the tournament.

After a brilliant first touch, the winger danced his way into the Japanese penalty area, created an opening and fired a goal-bound effort that was brilliantly tipped onto the inside of the post by Suzuki.

He had a torrid time in the first half, and he should have scored moments ago, but Brazil's veteran midfielder has just headed Brazil level.

It's another deep cross into the Japanese box, and the seasoned midfield anchorman is in the perfect spot at the back post to get up early and head back across goal and into the far corner.

The Brazilian fans in the stadium have exploded with joy, and it's game on in Houston!

No doubt about it, Brazil should be level. A header goes right across the Japanese goal, and Casemiro's diving header from point-blank range hits Japanese defender Tomayasu, who is stood right on the goal-line.

He didn't know much about it, but he just kept Japan in front.

Brazil are throwing crosses into the box and having some success. It feels like it's only a matter of time...

Bruno Guimaraes gets up highest in the Japanese box and plants a thumping header towards goal.

The Newcastle United midfielder must have thought he'd scored, but Suzuki reacted brilliantly to make the save.

Great header, even better save, and it's still 1-0.