Brazil avoided a World Cup shock as they came from behind to down a spirited Japan side and march onto the last 16. Kaishu Sano's strike set hearts racing in Houston, but the South American comeback ensured their problem was not terminal as first Casemiro and then Gabriel Martinelli scored in the second-half to keep Carlo Ancelotti on a collision course with Thomas Tuchel in Miami.
Japan's Early Strike Stuns Brazil
Rewind 20 years and Brazil were hammering Japan 4-1 in the group stages during a match that saw Ronaldo equal the then record for goals at a World Cup. The gulf between the sides has certainly closed since that night in Dortmund. Sano ignited the thought of an upset when he scored the opener just before the half hour mark, waltzing past Casemiro before firing in a low shot from 20 yards that beat the outstretched arm of Alisson.
Brazil's inevitable push came early on in the second-half, Bruno Guimaraes had a header denied before the Japanese defence and goalkeeper somehow denied Casemiro from a close range. The ex-Manchester United midfielder wouldn't be denied for long though as he headed home an equaliser at the back post shortly before the hour mark.
Vinicius Jr Hits the Post
Vinicius Jnr almost scored one of the World Cup's great solo goals as he walked through the Japanese defence, only to see Zion Suzuki produce a strong left hand to deflect his shot onto the post. Ancelotti turned to Gabriel Martinelli, who was presented with the chance to send Brazil through to the last 16 late on and the Arsenal star showed perfect composure to finish.
Five Talking Points from Brazil's Late Win
Shock Avoided
The pressure on Brazil is always immense and currently their wait for a World Cup triumph stands at 24 years. They've turned to Ancelotti in a bid to add some European smarts, but the Italian was facing one of the great modern day shocks at half-time. Brazil have often fallen at the quarter-final hurdle, losing in the last eight in four of the last five tournaments, but going down in the Round of 32 would've seen hearts shatter on the Copacabana. Instead the dream is alive, even if there are certainly flaws in this Brazilian side. The hope for them will be that their quality, especially in the forward line, can cover for it.
Brazil's Achilles Heels
It was rarely exposed in the group stage, largely due to their level of opposition and their dominance, but having Casemiro as the holding midfielder always left them in danger of being over run. In Lucas Paqueta and Guimaraes he had two midfielders aged 28 alongside him. It meant that, if Japan could get in behind or play on the half turn they always had the chance of beating the Brazilian midfield for speed. The warning signs were there before the opener, leading to Casemiro getting booked, with the issue further exposed when Japan took the lead.
Carlo's Gamble Pays Off
All that being said, whilst it is well documented that Casemiro doesn't have the pace and energy he boasted a decade ago, the Brazilian has not lost his ability to come up with goals, and crucial ones at that. He's been doing it for the final few months of his stint at Old Trafford, and now on the World Cup stage. With Casemiro on a yellow and being targeted in midfield all the common sense suggested he should be hauled off at half-time, but Ancelotti opted to haul off Paqueta and replace him with Endrick. Casemiro may have been an accident waiting to happen, but he's equally a goal threat waiting to pounce, and pounce he did.
Japan the Coming Force
Yes this would've been a shock, no doubt about it, but maybe not on the scale that some may think. Japan have been regulars at World Cups without ever really doing much, but in the months leading up to this tournament they've been staking their claim. England fans will ultimately remember them securing a win at Wembley, as much as they may have wanted to forget. The Japanese took the lead that night and never really looked back. Few could argue they were anything but good value for that win, which only gave them more confidence. Japan haven't been much of a force in international football, but that could all be about to change in the coming years.
English Ramifications
This match was always going to have a bearing on England's route to the final, provided they themselves aren't the victims of a shock this week. Brazil had been cited as opponents come the last eight, for which the South Americans may have been marginal favourites. At half-time those of an English connection may have been dreaming of an upset, giving Tuchel's side a more generous draw as they make their way through the tournament. Instead the Brazil quarter-final showdown remains firmly on the cards, but Japan have shown they can certainly be got at.
