Brazil vs Japan LIVE: Casemiro header cancels out Sano goal as World Cup thriller nears extra time

Brazil’s World Cup campaign nearly suffered another historic upset before a dramatic late winner rescued Carlo Ancelotti’s side from the brink against Japan. After Kaishu Sano’s composed first-half finish put the Asian champions ahead, Casemiro’s towering header restored parity in the second half. But it was Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time strike that sealed a nervy 2-1 victory in a contest that repeatedly threatened to slip from Brazil’s grasp.

A first-half masterstroke undone by relentless pressure

Japan began brightly, and their opening goal arrived after 12 minutes when Sano drifted into the box, evaded two challenges from Marquinhos and Éder Militão, and fired past Alisson with a crisp left-footed finish. The goal was a reminder of Brazil’s defensive vulnerabilities, exposed by a composed individual display from the 21-year-old. Ancelotti’s side had already stumbled in their opener against Morocco, drawing 1-1, but they had recovered with emphatic 3-0 wins over Haiti and Scotland to top Group C. Yet Japan arrived in North America unbeaten at this tournament and with a psychological edge after beating Brazil 3-2 in a friendly last October, a result that had seen the Seleção twice come from behind.

The Seleção regrouped after the interval, and their pressure bore fruit in the 55th minute when Casemiro rose above both Shota Shimizu and Maya Yoshida to power a header past Daniel Schmidt. The goal was the result of sustained Brazilian dominance, with Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo combining repeatedly down the left flank, stretching Japan’s back three and forcing substitutions from Hajime Moriyasu. Japan’s midfield, usually so composed under pressure, struggled to cope with the tempo, and their defensive line looked stretched as Brazil piled forward in waves, with Neymar and Richarlison both forcing saves from Schmidt.

Martinelli’s last-gasp strike buries Japan’s resistance

The drama was far from over. Japan nearly restored their lead in the 85th minute when a deflected shot from the edge of the box from Ao Tanaka forced a scrambling save from Alisson, but the rebound fell to Ritsu Dōan, whose effort was blocked on the line by Marquinhos. The Seleção, however, refused to let the contest drift, and their persistence was rewarded in the 96th minute when Martinelli collected a pass from Bruno Fernandes at an 11 o’clock angle, turned, and struck a low shot that ricocheted in off the post.

The timing of the goal—deep into added time—ensured maximum agony for Japan, who had defended resolutely for long periods, with Wataru Endo marshalling the midfield and Yuto Nagatomo making crucial recoveries. Their resilience had kept them in the game despite Brazil’s growing dominance, but Martinelli’s strike confirmed their exit from the round of 32. The Arsenal forward’s finish was clinical, a reminder of his growing influence in big moments for the Seleção, having now scored in back-to-back World Cup appearances.

Ancelotti’s men survive a scare, but questions linger

Brazil’s victory was far from comfortable, and their defensive frailties were exposed once again. Ancelotti will be concerned by the gaps left by his full-backs Danilo and Alex Telles, particularly when Japan exploited the space behind them in transition, while the vulnerability of his centre-backs when pressed—evident in the lead-up to Sano’s goal—remained a concern. The introduction of Danilo Santos and the introduction of Fabinho late on suggested a shift toward solidity, but the damage had already been done.

Japan, meanwhile, can hold their heads high after a spirited display. Their tactical discipline and pressing intensity caused Brazil problems, particularly in the opening exchanges, with Junya Ito and Keito Nakamura combining effectively on the right. The defeat ends their World Cup run, but their performance—built on organisation and pressing—will give their fans hope for the future, especially given their unbeaten record at this tournament before tonight.

For Brazil, the relief is palpable. A repeat of their 2022 round-of-16 exit to Croatia has been avoided, but the manner of their win—narrow and nervy—will fuel doubts about their title credentials. Ancelotti’s side now face a daunting quarter-final against the Netherlands, a team that has already dispatched the United States with ease and will arrive in this tie with momentum. The Seleção will need to be far more convincing if they are to progress further, with their defensive issues and reliance on individual brilliance—from Vinícius, Rodrygo, and now Martinelli—looking increasingly exposed at the sharpest end of the tournament.