Brazil secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Japan in the World Cup last 32 on Monday, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a stoppage-time winner. Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil's head coach, remained characteristically calm throughout, insisting he never doubted his team would recover.
First Half Struggles
Japan took the lead in the first half through Kaishu Sano, and Brazil struggled to create clear chances. Ancelotti admitted that Japan's tight marking made it difficult for Brazil to penetrate. 'At half-time I told the players to be patient because sooner or later we would score,' Ancelotti said. 'What was important was to keep our structure.'
Second Half Comeback
Brazil leveled the score through Casemiro before Martinelli, a substitute, scored the winner in stoppage time. This marked the first time Brazil have come from behind to win a World Cup knockout match since the 2002 quarter-final against England. 'We changed at the interval to try to penetrate their area a little more,' Ancelotti explained. 'We crossed some balls and got forward better, so this is an evolution.'
Ancelotti's Tactical Adjustments
Ancelotti also revealed he had a plan to introduce Neymar if needed. 'I told Neymar that if we didn't equalise by a certain point I was going to put him on to the pitch,' he said. Neymar has only played 15 minutes in the tournament so far, coming on as a substitute in the group stage match against Scotland.
Brazil's Most Complete Game
Despite the first-half deficit, Ancelotti considered this Brazil's best performance of the tournament. 'This was by far the most complete game that we've played,' he said. 'We were not lost in the first half like against Morocco. You have to suffer, that's part of it.'
Japan's Perspective
Japan's head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, acknowledged the gap between the teams is closing. 'Brazil are a top team but we are definitely approaching that level,' Moriyasu said. 'There were moments when Japan were definitely controlling the game and the defence has become firmer than before. But if we are to beat these powerhouses we have to improve further.' He hinted he would stay on until at least the Asian Cup next year.
