Brazil vs Japan FIFA World Cup match result. Martinelli’s injury-time winner saves Brazil’s blushes against brave Japan in a thriller Football News:
Super-sub Gabriel Martinelli emerged as Brazil’s saviour, scoring a stunning winner deep in stoppage time to book a thrilling 2-1 victory over a resilient Japan in their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 matchup at NRG Stadium on Monday.The five-time champions were staring down the barrel of a disastrous exit when Samurai Blue took a shock lead in the 29th minute. Taking advantage of a misplaced midfield pass, Kaishu Sano leapt onto the pitch and unleashed a brilliant right-footed strike from outside the center circle to stun Alisson Becker.Carlo Ancelotti’s half-time team talk completely energized the Brazilian players, who came out firing and dominating possession. After Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki bravely blocked Bruno Guimarães’ 52nd-minute header, and Casemiro’s subsequent effort bounced off a defender’s head and into the custodian’s face, the breakthrough finally came. In the 56th minute, Casemiro made amends for earlier misses, leaping high to meet a Gabriel Magalhães cross and heading home a sublime header past Suzuki.Brazil smelled blood, but an incredible Suzuki, who finished with four saves, denied a wide Vinícius Júnior just two minutes later, tipping his left-box strike to the far post.As Japan defended, extra time appeared an absolute certainty, especially when a limping Casemiro was forced off with a foot injury in the 91st minute. However, Martinelli had other plans. In the 96th minute, Bruno Guimarães opened up the defense with a slick pass, and the Arsenal winger calmly slotted home to spark absolute pandemonium.The dramatic win, which comes on the anniversary of Brazil’s first World Cup victory in 1958, extended their dominant head-to-head record against Japan to 12 wins in 15 matches. It also broke the hearts of a Japanese side backed by a deep cultural connection because Brazil has the largest diaspora of 2.7 million Japanese descendants and a rich football lineage pioneered by the legend Zico.While Japan’s quest for a first knockout victory continues, Brazil march safely into the pre-quarterfinals in East Rutherford, New Jersey, awaiting Ivory Coast or Norway.
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