In a thrilling encounter at NRG Stadium, Brazil staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Japan 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Monday, June 29, 2026. The match, attended by 68,777 fans, saw Brazil advance to the last 16, where they will face either Norway or Ivory Coast.

Japan Takes the Lead

The match began with Japan taking an early advantage when Kaishu Sano scored in the 29th minute. Sano capitalized on a poor pass from Danilo and managed to evade Casemiro's defense, firing a shot from the edge of the box that found the back of the net. This goal put Brazil in a challenging position as they headed into halftime trailing 1-0.

Brazil's Comeback

After the break, Brazil responded with urgency. Casemiro, who had earlier missed a clear opportunity, redeemed himself by scoring the equalizer in the 56th minute. He connected with a cross from Gabriel, heading the ball into the net and sparking celebrations among the Brazilian supporters. The momentum shifted as Brazil pressed for a second goal, with Vinicius Jr. nearly turning the game around with a powerful shot that struck the post.

As the match approached its conclusion, Gabriel Martinelli, who came off the bench, emerged as the hero. In the 95th minute, he scored the dramatic winner, poking the ball past Japan's goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who could only deflect it onto the inside of the post before it rolled in. This late goal sealed Brazil's victory and dashed Japan's hopes of securing their first knockout stage win in World Cup history.

With this victory, Brazil continues their quest for World Cup glory, while Japan faces the disappointment of having led in their last three knockout matches, only to lose each one. The stage is set for Brazil as they prepare for their next challenge in the tournament.