Casemiro equalises late to salvage a 1-1 draw against Japan and send Brazil's last-16 tie into extra time in Houston

A cagey encounter in Texas

Brazil, five-time world champions, were frustrated by a disciplined Japan side that has never won a knockout match at a men's World Cup. The Japanese opened the scoring when a well-worked move exposed space behind the Seleção defence, silencing the pro-Brazil crowd inside NRG Stadium.

“Le Brésil n'a plus été champion du monde depuis 24 ans.”

Carlos Ancelotti's team, featuring Vinícius Júnior, Matheus Cunha and Rayan in attack but leaving Neymar on the bench, struggled to create clear chances in the first hour. Japan's defensive block, marshalled by captain Ko Itakura, limited Vinícius to isolated moments.

Casemiro levels

With Brazil's tournament at risk, the equaliser arrived midway through the second period. A set-piece delivery was met by Casemiro, who guided a header past Zion Suzuki and gave the Seleção a lifeline. The goal echoed the midfielder's importance to a side that had conceded only once in the group stage.

“Casemiro relance le Brésil, tout est à refaire pour le Japon.”

Japan, who had threatened on the break throughout, saw Daichi Kamada booked for a cynical foul on Bruno Guimarães late on. The Asian side finished with the same 1-1 scoreline it had managed against Sweden in the group, but this time the draw meant additional 30 minutes.

Group stage context

Brazil topped Group C with seven points after a 1-1 draw against Morocco, a 3-0 win over Scotland and another 3-0 victory against Haiti. Vinícius Júnior scored four of those goals and was the tournament's early standout. Japan finished second in Group F with five points, behind the Netherlands on goal difference, after a 2-2 draw with the Dutch, a 4-0 thrashing of Tunisia and a 1-1 stalemate against Sweden.

“Le Japon n'a pas perdu en poule et a donné des sueurs froides aux Pays-Bas.”

What comes next

If Brazil prevails after extra time or penalties, it will meet the winner of Ivory Coast versus Norway in the quarter-finals. A Japan victory would mark its first ever knockout-round triumph at the tournament and set up a historic last-eight clash.

“Le vainqueur jouera en huitièmes de finale la Côte d'Ivoire ou la Norvège.”