“Kaishu Sano punishes Brazil's defensive lapse with a right-footed drive from outside the box after Japan break quickly from a corner sequence, giving the underdogs a shock lead.”
Pivotal“Casemiro heads Brazil level from close range, capping a period of sustained pressure that also saw Bruno Guimarães saved and Endrick fire wide, with a VAR decision adding further drama to the buildup.”
Pivotal“Gabriel Martinelli seals Brazil's comeback in the dying seconds, sweeping home from the center of the box after Japan fail to clear a corner, sending Brazil through and ending Japan's World Cup.”
Pivotal
Brazil
Japan
Brazil dominated every statistical category imaginable — 69% possession, 19 shots to Japan's five, 88 dangerous attacks to 28, and four big chances created — yet found themselves trailing at half-time after Kaishu Sano punished them with a composed finish from outside the box on the counter in the 29th minute. It was a familiar story of the underdog defending deep and striking on the break, with Japan's goalkeeper making four saves to keep the Seleção at bay. Casemiro's close-range header hauled Brazil level in the 56th minute, and despite a VAR intervention that threatened to complicate matters, Brazil kept pushing. The match was ultimately settled in chaotic added time: Casemiro had to be stretchered off with an injury, but substitute Gabriel Martinelli — on the pitch for barely 25 minutes — drove home from close range to send Brazil through. For Japan, it is a gutting exit having come so close to one of the great World Cup upsets; for Brazil, it is a nervy progression that will demand a sharper display if they are to go deep in the tournament.
How entertaining was this match?
Foul committed by Shogo Taniguchi of Japan.
Substitution for Brazil: Danilo Santos comes on for Bruno Guimarães.
Substitution for Japan: Koki Ogawa comes on for Daizen Maeda.
assist: Bruno Guimarães
Goal! Brazil leads Japan 2-1. Gabriel Martinelli scores for Brazil with a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Fabinho from Brazil misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it high and wide to the right. The chance was created by a cross from Bruno Guimarães after a corner.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Substitution for Brazil: Fabinho comes on for Casemiro due to an injury.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Casemiro from Brazil.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 6 minutes of added time.
Foul committed by Ao Tanaka of Japan.
Vinícius Júnior from Brazil is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt blocked. Vinícius Júnior's right-footed shot from outside the box for Brazil is blocked. Gabriel Martinelli provided the assist.
Gabriel Magalhães from Brazil had a header attempt from the center of the box, but it was blocked. Rayan provided the assist with a cross.
Brazil wins a corner after Kaishu Sano concedes.
Foul committed by Junnosuke Suzuki of Japan.
Rayan from Brazil wins a free kick on the right wing.
Corner awarded to Brazil after a concession by Junnosuke Suzuki.
Junnosuke SuzukiYellow CardJunnosuke Suzuki from Japan receives a yellow card for a foul.
Foul committed by Junnosuke Suzuki of Japan.
Danilo from Brazil wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution for Japan: Shuto Machino comes on for Junya Ito.
Substitution for Japan: Ao Tanaka comes on for Daichi Kamada.
Attempt missed by Gabriel Martinelli from Brazil, who took a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Rayan's header from the right side of the six-yard box is blocked. Gabriel Magalhães provided the assist with a cross.
Corner awarded to Brazil after Junnosuke Suzuki concedes.
Gabriel Martinelli commits a foul for Brazil.
Junya Ito wins a free kick for Japan in the defensive half.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is currently delayed for a drinks break.
Substitution for Brazil: Gabriel Martinelli comes on for Matheus Cunha.
Substitution for Japan: Junnosuke Suzuki comes on for Keito Nakamura.
Substitution for Japan: Yukinari Sugawara comes on for Ritsu Doan.
Ayase Ueda's right-footed shot from the left side of the box for Japan is saved.
Ayase Ueda from Japan commits a handball.
Attempt saved. Vinícius Júnior's right-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Zion Suzuki. The shot was assisted by Rayan.
Goal! The score is now Brazil 1, Japan 1. Casemiro scores for Brazil with a header from the right side of the six-yard box.
assist: Gabriel
Casemiro's header from close range for Brazil is blocked.
VAR decision: the previous decision has been cancelled.
Endrick from Brazil misses the attempt with a left-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it to the right. Vinícius Júnior provided the assist with a cross.
Attempt saved. Bruno Guimarães' header from the center of the box is saved.
Takehiro Tomiyasu wins a free kick for Japan in the defensive half.
Matheus Cunha commits a foul for Brazil.
Daizen Maeda of Japan is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Danilo commits a foul for Brazil.
DaniloYellow CardDanilo from Brazil receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Ritsu Doan from Japan commits a handball.
The second half begins with Brazil trailing Japan 1-0.
Substitution for Brazil: Endrick comes on for Lucas Paquetá.
The first half ends with Brazil trailing Japan 1-0.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 4 minutes of added time.
Attempt missed. Lucas Paquetá heads the ball from the center of the box for Brazil.
Junya Ito's left-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Daichi Kamada.
Daichi Kamada commits a foul for Japan.
Bruno Guimarães from Brazil is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Daichi KamadaYellow CardDaichi Kamada from Japan receives a yellow card for a foul.
Attempt saved. Matheus Cunha's right-footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Attempt blocked. Lucas Paquetá's left-footed shot from outside the box for Brazil is blocked. Vinícius Júnior provided the assist.
Attempt saved. Vinícius Júnior's right-footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Attempt missed. Marquinhos (Brazil) heads the ball from the center of the box but it goes to the right. The chance was set up by Lucas Paquetá with a cross from a set piece situation.
Ritsu Doan commits a foul for Japan.
Douglas Santos from Brazil wins a free kick on the left wing.
Goal! Japan takes the lead 1-0 against Brazil as Kaishu Sano scores with a right-footed shot from outside the box after a fast break.
Ayase Ueda from Japan misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it high and wide to the left. The chance was set up by Junya Ito's cross following a corner.
Japan wins a corner after Gabriel Magalhães concedes.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is currently paused for a drinks break.
Ayase Ueda of Japan commits a handball.
Daichi Kamada's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Japan is awarded a corner after Casemiro concedes.
Attempt missed. Bruno Guimarães (Brazil) had a right-footed shot from the left side of the box after a corner.
Junya Ito wins a free kick for Japan in the attacking half.
Casemiro commits a foul for Brazil.
Casemiro from Brazil receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Attempt saved. Matheus Cunha's left-footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Brazil wins a corner after Zion Suzuki concedes.
Kaishu SanoYellow CardKaishu Sano from Japan receives a yellow card for a foul.
Foul committed by Kaishu Sano of Japan.
Vinícius Júnior from Brazil is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Bruno Guimarães' left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
Foul committed by Kaishu Sano of Japan.
Vinícius Júnior from Brazil wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Bruno Guimarães' left-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Rayan provided the assist.
Brazil wins a corner after Shogo Taniguchi concedes.
Takehiro Tomiyasu commits a foul for Japan.
Lucas Paquetá wins a free kick for Brazil in the defensive half.
First half begins.
Outstanding performance
Brazil•DefenderBrazil and Japan collide in a high-stakes World Cup Round of 32 showdown at Houston Stadium, with the Seleção looking to justify their tournament favourites tag against a Japan side that stunned them in a friendly just months ago. With Raphinha sidelined and Carlo Ancelotti yet to find his best lineup, this is far from a foregone conclusion — Japan have the tactical discipline and the belief to cause a massive upset.
