Brazil come from behind to beat Japan 2-1 and reach World Cup last 16 after Ancelotti tweaks
Gabriel Martinelli's 95th-minute strike completed a dramatic comeback at the Houston Stadium as Brazil overturned a half-time deficit to knock Japan out of the tournament.
Match story
Brazil advanced to the World Cup knockout stage with a 2-1 victory over Japan on Monday after a performance that veered from disjointed to devastating. Japan led at the break but Carlo Ancelotti's side roared back in the second half, with Casemiro heading home an equaliser before substitute Gabriel Martinelli fired a late winner deep into injury time. It was the first time Brazil had come from behind to win a World Cup knockout game since beating England in the 2002 quarter-finals.
This was the most complete game we have played (at the World Cup). We had trouble in the first half as Japan were defending well, they were close and tight to us.
Ancelotti's half-time adjustment
The turnaround owed much to Ancelotti's tactical changes at the break. The Italian replaced the hobbling Lucas Paqueta with forward Endrick and switched to a 4-2-4 formation that injected pace and width. Japan, who had been well organised and aggressive before half-time, lost their shape and fell back into a passive defensive block, inviting pressure that eventually overwhelmed them.
His choices are always well considered, driven by a phenomenal coherence that stems from both the heart and mind of someone with deep tactical knowledge and a knack for managing group dynamics.
- Kickoff – Japan take the lead in the first half.
- Half-time – Ancelotti introduces Endrick for Lucas Paqueta and shifts to 4-2-4.
- Casemiro equalises with a header from Gabriel's cross.
- Gabriel Martinelli scores the 95th-minute winner, assisted by Bruno Guimaraes.
Veterans step up
Casemiro, who struggled badly in the first half, redeemed himself when he rose to meet a curling cross from Gabriel and powered a header past Japan's goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The midfielder had been on a booking and looked a liability, but Ancelotti kept faith with the 34-year-old, a decision endorsed by the equaliser. Neymar remained on the bench throughout, held back in case extra time was needed.
Martinelli's impact
With the game drifting towards extra time, Ancelotti threw on Martinelli for Matheus Cunha. The Arsenal forward had only four goals in 25 caps before the match but showed composure to slide a low shot, supplied by Bruno Guimaraes, into the far corner after a final burst of possession. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Brazilian support and extended Brazil's run of never losing a World Cup knockout tie to a non-European side.
What next for Brazil
Brazil will face the winners of Tuesday's last-32 tie between Ivory Coast and Norway in New Jersey on Sunday. Ancelotti warned his players not to get carried away. "We are doing a good job, but we need to improve," he said. "We want to play at our highest level." The team heads east buoyed by a familiar Ancelotti narrative: flawed but resilient, and never fully beaten until the final whistle.
