‹ rbtfl

Martinelli's 96th-minute curler sends Brazil past Japan 2-1 in World Cup Round of 32

Casemiro headed Brazil level in the 56th minute after Kaishu Sano's first-half opener, then substitute Gabriel Martinelli curled in a late winner at NRG Stadium in Houston to advance the five-time champions to the last 16

Sports· active The Quiet Shift ·4 takes · ·rbtfl upd Jul 1, 2026
post

The split

The same story, as told by newsrooms in different countries. Their words, attributed and linked.

Qatar

Al Jazeera

“Martinelli curled in a fine winner in the 96th minute after being played in by Guimaraes to snatch the win for Brazil.”

global audience; frames the result through Japan's tournament exitread the original ↗

United States

CBS Sports

“Brazil came from a goal down at half-time to beat Japan 2-1 in a thrilling World Cup last-32 tie.”

US broadcast perspective; tracks Brazil's Vinicius Jr-led attackread the original ↗

post

Summary

Brazil advanced to the World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Japan at NRG Stadium in Houston, requiring a stoppage-time winner to recover from a first-half deficit. Kaishu Sano opened the scoring in the 29th minute, capitalising on Casemiro's poor positioning. Brazil levelled through Casemiro's header at the back post in the 56th minute, then Gabriel Martinelli, on as a substitute, curled in the winner in the 96th minute after a pass from Bruno Guimaraes. Kaoru Mitoma was absent for Japan. Brazil will face the winner of Ivory Coast vs. Norway in the Round of 16, with that match set for July 5 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Why it matters

Brazil's narrow win exposes a vulnerability in what was expected to be a straightforward knockout run. Japan, without Mitoma and still compact and dangerous, nearly knocked out one of the tournament favourites, confirming that the expanded 48-team format gives Asian sides more paths to major upsets.

What to watch

  • Brazil's Round of 16 fixture and whether Vinicius Jr. elevates his tournament.
  • Brazil vs. the Ivory Coast/Norway winner on July 5 at MetLife Stadium, and whether Vinicius Jr. elevates his tournament.
  • Japan's post-tournament review on succession after the Sano generation's first deep run.

The briefing, by email