Brazil 2-1 Japan: The Selecao saw off their opponents in Houston and needed Gabriel Martinelli’s final blow to reach the last 16 of the World Cup – just
Brazil sees off Japan with Gabriel Martinelli’s final shot
Brazil overcame a major problem in Houston and avoided what would be one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.
The five-time champions were in danger of returning home in mourning after Nano Kaishu’s first-half goal. However, Japan missed out on their moment of sunset thanks to a spectacular comeback by coach Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro led the fightback with an equalizing header from Gabriel’s cross. Substitute Gabriel Martinelli made a successful breakaway in stoppage time in the second half, ending the intense match and sustaining Brazil’s hopes of winning the world championship for the first time since 2002.
And no one was more relieved than Ancelotti. Because if he had lost those last 32 games, that new contract he signed before heading to North America would have been torn up before his eyes.
Japan’s only win against Brazil came in October last year, when they came from two points behind to defeat the South American giants 3-2. A similar upset seemed unlikely when Brazil dominated the ball from the start.
The problem was that Ancelotti’s men could do little about it. Bruno Guimarães deflected a shot wide early on, but Matheus Cunha was unable to find the target.
But Japan were content to stay calm, absorb the pressure and take chances when they came, and they did that in the 30 minutes Danilo gave them.
Sano latched on to the loose ball and with his sharp feet he took aim past Casemiro and fired a low shot past Alisson. The entire Japanese team charged onto the pitch to mob their teammates.
The people in yellow stood with their hands on their hips, wondering what had happened. Ancelotti had to tell his team at half-time about his long and illustrious career.
Gabriel Martinelli’s late winner was decided seconds before the final whistle.
Now it was Brazil’s turn to make a comeback, but it was the tough underdogs who faced them. Ancelotti attacked Endrick, but it was Bruno Guimarães who came closest to leveling the score. This was Zion Suzuki’s first save.
After that, Casemiro’s header was blocked by Suzuki, Hiroki Ito and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the line. But he wasn’t denied, and moments later he hit a great shot past Suzuki to even the score.
A world-class save from Suzuki was needed to keep Vinicius Junior’s shot off the post as Brazil started to smell blood. It looked like the game was going to go into overtime.
But Brazil had other ideas and a great pass from Guimarães allowed Martinelli to hit the post and cross the line, throwing Brazil into chaos. And Japan felt heartbroken.
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