Brazil have secured their place in the next round of World Cup 2026 after a gruelling Round of 32 encounter against Japan. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were forced to show immense character, overturning a half-time deficit to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Both sides played to their respective strengths throughout the encounter. Japan’s game plan relied heavily on tactical discipline and relentless physical conditioning, with their aggressive pressing paying dividends in the 29th minute. Danilo committed a costly error, surrendering possession cheaply in the center of the pitch. Kaishu Sano intercepted the loose ball, drove forward into space, and unleashed a powerful, low drive from distance that nestled into the bottom corner.

The opening goal clearly rattled the five-time world champions, who failed to create a single meaningful opportunity before the interval against the impressive Zion Suzuki. However, the Seleção emerged from the tunnel for the second half looking like a completely transformed outfit.

A furious onslaught rained down on the Japanese penalty area from the restart. Casemiro came agonizingly close to restoring parity in the 54th minute, only to see his goalbound effort heroically cleared off the line by Takehiro Tomiyasu. The veteran defensive midfielder would not be denied for long, however, rising highest just two minutes later to powerfully head home a pinpoint cross from Gabriel.

The South Americans continued to dictate the tempo, with Vinícius Júnior striking the woodwork following a trademark, dazzling solo run down the flank. Despite Japan's stubborn resistance, Brazil’s dominance was total, and a winning goal felt increasingly inevitable. The definitive breakthrough arrived in the final minute of normal time to provide a grandstand finish. Shogo Taniguchi was caught in possession while attempting to play out from the back, allowing Brazil to intercept and find Gabriel Martinelli, who coolly slotted a precise finish into the far bottom corner to seal a 2-1 victory.

Ancelotti's men now advance to the Round of 16, where they await the winner of the upcoming clash between Ivory Coast and Norway.

World Cup 2026

Brazil - Japan 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: Sano, 29 (0:1); Casimiro, 56 (1:1); Martinelli, 96 (2:1)

Brazil: Alisson; Gabriel M.; Marquinhos; Danilo; Douglas Santos; Casimiro (Fabinho, 90); Bruno Guimarães (Danilo Santos, 98); Paqueta (Endrick, 46); Rayan; Vinícius Júnior; Cunha (Martinelli, 66)
Substitution: Endrick (from 46); Martinelli (from 66); Fabinho (from 90); Danilo Santos (from 98)
Bench: Weverton; Ederson; Bremer; Pereira Léo; Alex Sandro; Ibañez R.; Éderson J.; Luiz Henrique; Thiago I.; Neymar
Yellow Cards: Casimiro 15; Danilo 48

Japan: Suzuki Z.; Tomiyasu; Taniguchi; Ito H.; Sano; Doan (Sugawara, 66); Nakamura (Suzuki J., 66); Kamada (Tanaka A., 78); Ueda A.; Maeda (Ogawa, 97); Ito J. (Machino, 78)
Substitution: Sugawara (from 66); Suzuki J. (from 66); Tanaka A. (from 78); Machino (from 78); Ogawa (from 97)
Bench: Osako K.; Hayakawa; Itakura; Watanabe T.; Seko; Nagatomo; Kubo T.; Suzuki Yu.; Goto; Shiogai
Yellow Cards: Sano 12; Kamada 45; Suzuki J. 84