Brazil’s forward Gabriel Martinelli (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between Brazil and Japan at the Houston Stadium in Houston on June 29, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Brazil advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday with a thrilling last-gasp 2-1 victory over Japan as the tournament’s knockout rounds got into full swing.
Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli was the hero for Brazil in Houston, scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time to settle an enthralling contest at the NRG Stadium.
Japan had threatened to pull off one of the all-time great World Cup upsets after Kaishu Sano fired them into the lead with a superb 29th-minute goal on the counter-attack.
Brazil looked stunned by the Japanese opener for the remainder of the half and the Asian giants comfortably protected their lead up to half-time.
