Houston, June 30 (IANS) Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner in the final minute of the stoppage time as five-time champions Brazil overcame a fighting Japan for a last-gasp 2-1 win and advance to the pre-quarterfinals with a thrilling comeback in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Houston Stadium in Houston on Monday.

The Round of 32 clash looked set for extra time as both teams were tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time and the start of six minutes of added time. But Martinelli had other ideas as he came up with a superb conversion in the final minute of the match, and Brazil, the most successful team in the tournament, sailed through to the next round.

In their first knockout match in this edition of the World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil fought back from a goal deficit to emerge victorious with a last-ditch goal and will now travel to New York for their next opponent.

Kaishu Sano put Japan ahead in the 29th minute, before Casemiro pulled Brazil level in the 56th minute. Martinelli then wove his magic, sealing victory and triggering wild celebrations among the fans of the team ranked sixth in the latest FIFA Rankings.

Brazil had 55 per cent possession and unleashed 19 shots on goal, compared to five by Japan. They had seven shots on target as compared to only two by their opponent. They put up a superb defence against a side that went all out and held the upper hand in the first half.

It took a fantastic second-half fightback for Ancelotti’s team to overcome an excellent Japan side who deservedly led at half-time.

The introduction of substitute Endrick helped to spark the five-time world champions Brazil, who scored through Casemiro’s header, followed by Martinelli’s clinical strike as the Samurai Blue finally wilted under the pressure in Houston.

After Rayan won the ball back for the Seleção in a dangerous position, his pass allowed Bruno Guimarães to thread the ball into Martinelli, who broke Japanese hearts with an unerring low right-footed finish into Suzuki’s goal via the keeper’s fingers and left-hand post.

Japan were dreaming at half-time thanks to an excellent strike from Kaishu Sano, who pounced on an under-hit pass, surged into the space left by the Brazilian defence and fired home a right-footed finish for his first Japan goal.

A Houston Stadium, mostly awash in yellow, pleaded for an answer. After two close calls, a third thumping header pulled Brazil level, with Casemiro doing the honours off inch-perfect service from Gabriel Magalhaes.

If not for the fingertips of Zion Suzuki, Vinicius Junior would have given Brazil a lead just minutes later instead of lamenting a ball off the post.

The Seleçao smelled blood, and Japan succumbed for good in the waning moments as Guimarães found Martinelli, who beat Suzuki to set off bedlam in the Space City. With this, Brazil’s quest for a sixth star continues, while Japan’s first knockout-round win will have to wait.

–IANS

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