Brazil snatches 2-1 World Cup win over Japan with 95th-minute strike in Houston

Japan take a shock lead

Brazil's campaign in the 2026 World Cup almost derailed in the very first knockout round. Facing a disciplined Japan side in Houston, the record champions fell behind in the 29th minute. A misplaced pass in midfield by Brazil's Danilo was intercepted by Kaishu Sano, who advanced and finished to give Japan a 1-0 lead. The goal sparked hopes of Japan reaching a second knockout match at a World Cup for the first time.

Ancelotti's side fight back

Brazil started the second half with more intensity and found an equaliser in the 56th minute. Midfielder Casemiro struck after a marked improvement in the team's performance, levelling the score at 1-1. Coach Carlo Ancelotti had watched his side struggle to impose themselves in the first period, with Neymar left on the bench as Brazil lacked cohesion.

Martinelli delivers at the death

The match appeared destined for extra time as both teams battled for a winner. Then, in the fifth minute of added time, substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced to score the decisive goal. The 25-year-old Arsenal forward converted late to seal a 2-1 victory and spare the five-time world champions a humiliating exit. Brazil have now reached at least the quarter-final in every World Cup for more than three decades, a streak that looked in serious jeopardy until the final seconds.

What comes next

Brazil advance to the round of 16, where they will face the winner of Norway against Ivory Coast on Sunday, 5 July. Japan's tournament is over, continuing a pattern of early exits. For Ancelotti's team, the narrow escape highlights the gap between their storied past (no title since 2002) and a present heavily reliant on the individual brilliance of players such as Vinícius Júnior.