June 30, 2026
Gabriel Martinelli squeezed in a shot at the far post in the fifth minute of added time as Brazil survived a scare to defeat Japan 2-1 in their World Cup last-32 clash in Houston on Monday.
• Japan took the lead on 29 minutes when Kaishu Sano collected a poor pass from Danilo, drove towards goal and fired a low shot from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner.
• Brazil equalised via Casemiro’s back-post header from Gabriel Magalhaes’ cross on 56 minutes.
• Vinicius Junior’s mazy run shortly afterwards ended with Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki pushing his shot on to the post.
