Brazil vs Japan Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: Casemiro, Gabriel Martinelli send Brazil into Round of 16; win 2-1

And the referee blows the final whistle as Brazil are 2-1 winners. One more knockout heartbreak for Japan. Brazil players console their Japanese opponents. Brazil will next face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the round of 16.

GOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!! Gabriel Martinelli scores the winner for Brazil in the sixth minute of the injury time. What a time to score the winner for Brazil. The whole stadium erupts with Brazilian fans. The Arsenal midfielder gets a pass in the box from Bruno Guimaraes, and then shoots past Zion Suzuki into the bottom right-corner. The Japanese players are crestfallen.

Vinicius Junior is on the run. He gets a pass in front of the Japanese box but his shot is blocked. Meanwhile, Japan is on the counter-attack and is cleared the Brazilian defence. (89')

As the match nears its 90-minute mark, neither teams are giving an inch to each other. Extra time looms large in Houston. 6 minutes will be added after the 90 minutes.

Gabriel Martinelli hits wide. The Arsenal midfielder gets a ball outside the box and shoots it targetting the top right corner. The ball dips but wide off target. Brazil 1-1 Japan (78')

Changes for both teams. Gabriel Martinelli comes in for Matheus Cunha for Brazil. For Japan Junnosuke Suzuki and Yukinari Sugawara come on for Keito Nakamura and Ritsu Doan. Brazil 1-1 Japan (66')

Brazil almost take the lead in the next minute. Vinicius Jr goes for a solo run in the left and nutmegs Tomiyasu. The Real Madrid start side-steps another defender and shoots. The ball goes past Zion Suzuki but comes off the post. Brazil 1-1 Japan (57')

GOOOAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! Brazil have the equaliser, this time through Casemiro in the 55th minute. After several attempts, Brazil finally have the goal. Taking up a corner from the edge of the box, an unmarked Casemiro jumps above and heads past Zion Suzuki to send the entire stadium crazy. Brazil 1-1 Japan

SAVEEEEEE!!! Danilo delivers a perfect ball for Bruno Guimaraes, who jumps and heads it towards the goal. Zion Suzuki dives to his left to make a stunning save. Brazil 0-1 Japan (52')

And the second half begins. Brazil make one forced change with Endrick for Lucas Paqueta.

That's it. At the half-time, Japan are leading via a stunning goal from Kaisu Sano. Brazil, have created several chances but were unable to break the Japanese defence.

GOOOAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!! Japan take lead in the 29th minute. Kaishu Sano wins the ball in the centre, makes a solo run from the midfield and launches a right-footed shot past Brazil goalkeeper Alisson in the bottom left corner. Brazil 0-1 Japan

Matheus Cunha gets the ball from Bruno Guimaraes in front of the box, Cunha takes a left-footed shot but Zion Suzuki palms the ball away. The corner kick was also cleared by the Japanese defence. Brazil 0-0 Japan (14')

Absolute chaos at Japanese box. Marquinhos gets the long ball for Vinicius into the box but the Real Madrid start has to play a minus. Another Brazil player takes a long shot from the left corner of the box, but it hits Lucas Paqueta straight on the face. Vinicius did get the ball a few seconds later but Zion Suzuki denies Brazil. Brazil 0-0 Japan (10)

Lucas Paqueta lobs the ball on the left for a running Vinicius Junior who tries to enter the box. But Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki comes out to punch off the treat. Brazil 0-0 Japan (5)

Early corner for Brazil. Bruno Guimaraes takes the shot and is blocked by the Japanese defence. Brazil 0-0 Japan (2')

Here come players of both the teams along with the referees for the national anthems. The players line-up in the middle. Brazil will go first, followed by Japan.

The first and last time Brazil played Japan at the FIFA World Cup was in 2002. Brazil won the game 4-1 and eventually lifted the title.

“It was a good experience to know that Japan are one of the best teams in the world. We have full respect for them and will prepare for the game like it is a final, because to us it is a final,” Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said before the match.

“We need a strong mind and strong hearts. We have to be ready for anything that could take place in a knockout match, such as extra-time or ‌penalties. The ⁠team is ready, motivated and confident. But every match in this competition is very difficult.”

“In the ⁠near term we believe we are able to win and we believe we have that chance... even for this World Cup,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. “Some people said Japan would be a dark horse and we will be playing with that in mind.