Brazil advanced to the round of 16 in Houston after Gabriel Martinelli scored with thirty seconds of normal time remaining, completing a 2-1 victory over Japan that unravelled deep into stoppage time. The Arsenal forward collected a threaded pass from Bruno Guimarães and beat goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, triggering celebrations among the Brazilian contingent while Japanese supporters, both in the stadium and at public viewings in Tokyo, absorbed the sudden end to their campaign. The result keeps the five-time champions on course for a record-extending sixth title and extends their run of reaching the last sixteen at every tournament since the round was reintroduced in 1986.

Japan had taken a first-half lead that, viewed from Tokyo, briefly revived belief in a repeat of the friendly victory over the same opponent last October. Midfielder Kaishu Sano capitalised on an errant Brazilian pass in the 29th minute, driving forward and placing a right-footed finish beyond Alisson for his first international goal. The advantage held until eleven minutes after the restart, when Casemiro rose to meet a cross from Gabriel Magalhães and powered a header into the net. Vinícius Júnior then struck the woodwork as Brazil’s pressure intensified, but the Japanese defence held firm until Martinelli’s late intervention.

For Brazil, the comeback carried historical weight. Analysts in South America note that it was the first time since 1938—a 2-1 win over Czechoslovakia—that the Seleção had won a World Cup knockout match after trailing at half-time. The victory was also the side’s sixteenth come-from-behind win in tournament history, equalling Germany’s record. The achievement was tempered, however, by injuries to midfielders Lucas Paquetá and Casemiro, both of whom were forced off. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti described the contest as “very demanding” and said the players would be assessed, while pointing to the depth of individual quality in his squad.

In Tokyo, where the match ended around 4 a.m. local time, the late goal punctured an atmosphere that had shifted from early-morning apprehension to joy and then to tense hope. Hundreds of fans who had gathered for a public screening described the manner of defeat as particularly cruel, with one supporter telling international news agencies that the chance of extra time had been “snuffed out.” A separate image of a lone Japanese fan, screaming in frustration while surrounded by celebrating Brazilians who draped a flag over him, circulated widely on social media. Brazil will next face the winner of the Ivory Coast versus Norway tie at MetLife Stadium on 5 July.