Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time strike secured Brazil's place in the World Cup last 16 with a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan, who had led 1-0 at halftime. Not for the first time in this tournament, Brazil struggled for long periods but escaped, echoing the Carlo Ancelotti method that succeeded at Real Madrid: stay in games until opponents err or brilliance emerges.
First-Half Struggles and Japan's Lead
Brazil were 1-0 down at the break, facing their earliest World Cup exit. Five of their starting lineup were over 30, including five of six defensive players, and they looked their age. Japan were quicker, slicker, sharper, and more imaginative. Ayase Ueda headed a corner just over before Kaishu Sano intercepted Danilo's pass, surged past a wary Casemiro (who had an earlier booking), and fired a low shot into the corner from outside the box in the 29th minute.
Japan had never won a World Cup knockout match, a psychological issue acknowledged by manager Hajime Moriyasu. His pre-tournament insistence that Japan should aim to win the tournament was seen as an attempt to overcome that block. Despite the loss, this is arguably Japan's best World Cup performance.
Ancelotti's Half-Time Adjustments
Ancelotti introduced Endrick and switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation at half-time, completely transforming the game. Brazil began slinging crosses into the box, unsettling Japan. A Bruno Guimarães header drew a fine save from Zion Suzuki, and Casemiro had an effort cleared off the line that nearly rebounded in off Suzuki. The equaliser came after 56 minutes when Casemiro powered in Gabriel Magalhães's chip with a meaty header. Vinícius Júnior then shimmied in from the left but saw his flicked shot deflected onto the post by Suzuki's left hand.
Japan's manager Moriyasu responded by changing his two wingbacks, staunching the flow of chances but eliminating their first-half threat. The winner seemed inevitable and arrived in the 95th minute: Ao Tanaka was dispossessed on the edge of his own box, and after the ball was worked across the area, Guimarães waited and laid the ball left for Martinelli to squeeze in.
Brazil's Path Forward
Brazil advance to face the winner of Tuesday's match between Côte d'Ivoire and Norway. The first-half display exposed weaknesses, especially in midfield, but the second-half transformation was profound. Questions remain about their consistency, but Ancelotti's Real Madrid side often flirted with danger and kept winning the Champions League. Perhaps a sixth World Cup is within reach for Brazil.
