Brazil booked its spot in the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday after a dramatic fight against Japan, with a last-minute goal of Gabriel Martinelli helping it to secure a 2-1 score in Houston.
Martinelli's winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time settled an enthralling last-32 battle that sends Brazil into a last-16 clash with either Norway or Ivory Coast.
Record five-times champions Brazil, whose World Cup title drought stands at 24 years, looked stunned in the first half but returned for the second half with renewed vigour, racing toward a goal that would take it to the next stage.
Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano scored a classy solo goal after 29 minutes following a Brazil mistake to stun the huge numbers of fans decked out in yellow.
Carlo Ancelotti's men hit back 11 minutes after half-time with a header from veteran Casemiro off an assist from Gabriel Magalhaes after just missing another chance two minutes earlier.
