Brazil beat Japan in a stoppage-time thriller to advance to next round
By Lutta Njomo, June 29, 2026Brazil have advanced to the next stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after overcoming Japan in a stoppage-time thriller on Monday, June 29, 2026.
Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli delivered the death knell in stoppage time to send Brazil through to the next round.
Japan battled valiantly and got things started by sending a scare to thousands of Brazil fans with a 29th-minute goal from Kaishu Sano after he stole a misplaced pass in midfield before his right-footed shot from above the half-circle put Japan ahead.
Second-half action
Brazil relentlessly attacked in the second half, equalising in the 56th minute through a well-lodged header from outgoing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, doing the honours off inch-perfect service from Gabriel Magalhaes.
Vinicius Junior would have given Brazil a lead just minutes later instead, but goalkeeper Zion Suzuki’s fingertips sent the ball off the post.
The Seleção smelt blood, and Japan succumbed for good in the final moments as Bruno Guimaraes found Martinelli, who beat Suzuki to send the Brazil bench into a frenzy.
Brazil had two chances to even the score early in the second half. First, Suzuki blocked a header from Bruno Guimaraes in the 52nd minute.
Before kickoff, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti had called for “mind, heart and clarity”. True to his words, Brazil required every bit of all three to come back against the Samurai Blue.
Brazil’s quest for a sixth star continues, while Japan’s first knockout round win will have to wait. Brazil will next face either the Ivory Coast or Norway in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the round of 16.
Japan reached the round of 32 as runner-up in Group F after draws with the Netherlands and Sweden and a win over Tunisia. The loss snaps a 10-game unbeaten streak dating back to a 2-0 defeat to the United States in September 2025.
They will now have to wait till the next global showpiece to try their luck, as they have never won a World Cup knockout match.