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Martinelli scores 96th-minute winner as Brazil beat Japan to reach last 16
Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring in the 96th minute to see his side through to the next stage of the World Cup. (Getty Images)
BBC Sport – Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic 96th-minute winner as Brazil came from behind to beat Japan and reach the last 16 of the World Cup.
With just seconds left, Brazil won possession back on the edge of the Japan box 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.
Brazil players celebrate their late strike to advance to the last 16-stage of the FIFA World Cup tournament. (Getty Images)
Japan were comfortable in the first half and Kaishu Sano pounced on Danilo’s loose pass to drive past Casemiro and drill the ball into the bottom corner to give his side the lead.
Brazil struggled to respond before half-time but looked a different side after the break with Casemiro rising to power home Gabriel’s back-post cross 10 minutes after the restart.
apan’s Takehiro Tomiyasu clears a header off the line by Brazil’s Casemiro. (REUTERS/Annegret Hilse)
The goal had been coming and the five-time World Cup winners nearly took the lead in stunning fashion three minutes later.
Vinicius Jr received 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.
Japan regrouped from there and while Brazil continued to push forward, chances were limited.
That is until Ao Tanaka lost the ball on the corner of his own box and was ruthlessly punished by Martinelli and Brazil.
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