Brazil came from behind to beat Japan and set up a World Cup last-16 tie against Norway or Ivory Coast with a dramatic 95th-minute winner from Gabriel Martinelli, Yankee Scores reports.
Brazil regained possession on the edge of the Japan box with seconds remaining and Bruno Guimaraes slipped the ball into Martinelli who took a touch before slotting in off the post.
It was a heartbreaking end for Japan who had more than matched Brazil in the first half and battled valiantly in the second but Carlo Ancelotti’s side kept pushing and got their reward in final moments.
Japan were comfortable in the first half and Kaishu Sano capitalised on a loose pass from Danilo to drive past Casemiro and drill the ball into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
Brazil struggled to find an answer before the break but looked a different side after the break with Casemiro rising to power home Gabriel’s back-post cross 10 minutes after the restart.
The goal was coming and the five-time World Cup winners almost took the lead in stunning fashion three minutes later.
Vinicius Jr picked up the ball 10 yards inside the Japan half, nutmegged his marker, drove into the box, jinked past another defender and stabbed his shot towards the far corner – only for Japan keeper Zion Suzuki to tip it on to the post.
From there, Japan regrouped and although Brazil continued to push forward, opportunities were limited.
That was until Ao Tanaka lost the ball on the corner of his own box and was ruthlessly punished by Martinelli and Brazil.
