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Brazil 2-1 Japan: Gabriel Martinelli scores 96th minute comeback winner to send five-time champions through - as it happened
ESPN • • general
Key Points:
- Brazil secured their place in the World Cup round of 16 by defeating Japan 2-1, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a late winner at NRG Stadium.
- Japan initially took the lead through Kaishu Sano's solo effort, but Casemiro equalized for Brazil with a header from a Gabriel cross.
- After Brazil's equalizer, Japan struggled to regain momentum, and Bruno Guimarães assisted Martinelli's decisive goal deep in stoppage time.
- Brazil topped Group C unbeaten, with strong performances from Vinícius Júnior and Neymar, while Japan exited the tournament despite a solid group stage showing.
- Japan played without Takefusa Kubo and were unable to break through Brazil's defense, ending their hopes of advancing beyond the last 16 for the third consecutive World Cup.
