Brazil 2-1 Japan - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Martinelli Scores Winner to Inflict Late Heartbreak on Japan

Brazil earned a stunning, late victory in Houston, Texas, defeating an inspired Japan side 2-1 to march on to the last 16.

Coming into the game, many saw the Samurai Blue as serious "reputation crashers" and dark horses for the tournament.

However, despite an incredible goal by Kaishu Sano, it was cancelled out by Brazil's resilience and goals from Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli saw them avoid a serious upset and a date with the Ivory Coast or Norway in the last 16.

Incredible from Kaishū Sano 💫

The 25-year-old takes it on himself to give Japan the lead against Brazil... pic.twitter.com/bCisNfbDYD

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 29, 2026

Brazil 2-1 Japan Round of 32 as it Happened

Neymar Jr began on the bench as Carlo Ancelotti's Selecao truly started their quest to grab a record-extending sixth World Cup trophy. Japan's Hajime Moriyasu made four changes to his side as they searched for a first-ever knockout stage victory.

It didn't take long for Brazil to get the fans roaring inside the NRG Stadium in Houston; the tense degree of pressure in the fixture made true by the voice of the 68,000 spectators. As much as Brazil were favourites, Japan's form proved they were not to be taken lightly.

After a vast majority of early pressure and possession, Brazil's patient approach earned its first proper opening around 13 minutes in. First, Matheus Cunha made Zion Suzuki think with his grounded drive which earned a corner; from which Selecao found a quick one-two which ended in a curved effort going wide.

Shortly after the hydration, Brazil looked to continue their early dominance in possession. Danilo made a poor pass in the middle third, with Sano smartly intercepting it, before driving towards the Brazil defence; as they backed off him, space to shoot started to open up as the midfielder approached the box, before a precise low-driven effort found its way past Alisson to give the Samurai Blue a prized lead.

The only downside about Japan having the lead, was they were bound to be under some overwhelming pressure by Brazil. Ancelotti's side looked to respond by sending numbers up the pitch looking for any opening ahead of this stubborn defence, however, the only shots they could muster by the likes of Lucas Paqueta and Cunha would come from outside the box.

Half-Time Score: Brazil 0-1 Japan

Brazil came out for the second half with a improved sense of energy, perhaps through the introduction of wonderkid Endrick for the injured Paqueta, and it didn't take long for them to test Suzuki. Danilo picked the ball well and looked to launch it towards the penalty spot where a rising Bruno Guimaraes met the ball perfectly but couldn't quite guide it either side of the 23-year-old.

Soon after and they could not come closer. Douglas Santos heads central a ball which was crossed towards him. Casemiro met the ball from around six yards out and it struck Takehiro Tomiyasu in the chest before an eventual scramble got the ball cleared.

The crosses were continuous and eventually the Japan defence would fall. A corner played short saw Vinicius Jr lay off a ball to Gabriel. The Arsenal defender crossed a perfect delivery towards Casemiro - of whom many believed should have been a first-half change - who rose to the occasion as Suzuki was finally beaten in a wild 15 minutes.

Two minutes later and Brazil were shocked they weren't leading. A brilliant run from star man Vinicius Jr led to the Real Madrid forward finding a great opportunity in the box where it was only Suzuki to beat; his outside the boot effort went through, glancing off Suzuki's palm on the way to the left post, keeping the score level.

Brazil continued to dominate the ball and search for a winner. Both sides, however, failed to make the final ball happen to lead to a goal - until late, late on. With just two minutes on the clock, Rayan won the ball back close to the box, played it across to Guimaraes who had so much space due to Japan dropping off completely; he found Martinelli in a perfect pocket of space, and despite a Suzuki hand and a contact with the post, luck went the way of the four-time champions as they inflict such late heartbreak upon the Samurai Blue.

Full-Time Score: Brazil 2-1 Japan

🇧🇷 Brazil vs Japan 🇯🇵 lineups

Brazil (4-3-3): Alisson, Santos, Gabriel, Marquinhos, Danilo, Paquetá, Casimiro, Bruno Guimarães, Vini Jr, Matheus Cunha, Rayan

Japan (3-4-2-1): Suzuki, Ito, Taniguchi, Tomiyasu, Nakamura, Kamada, Sano, Doan, Maeda, Ito, Ueda pic.twitter.com/bKdEzGAfhN

— RH Sports Analysis (@RHSportAnalysis) June 29, 2026

Brazil Player Ratings

• Alisson - 6
• Douglas Santos - 7
• Gabriel Magalhaes - 8
• Marquinhos - 7
• Danilo - 5
• Lucas Paqueta - 6
• Casemiro - 8
• Bruno Guimaraes - 8
• Vinicius Jr - 7
• Matheus Cunha - 6
• Rayan - 7

Substitutes:

• Endrick (HT) - 6
• Gabriel Martinelli (66') - 8
• Fabinho (90') - N/A
• Danilo (90') - N/A

Japan Player Ratings

• Zion Suzuki - 7
• Hiroki Ito - 5
• Shogo Taniguchi - 6
• Takehiro Tomiyashu - 6
• Keito Nakamura - 6
• Daichi Kamada - 6
• Kaishu Sano - 8
• Ritsu Doan - 6
• Daizen Maeda - 7
• Junya Ito - 6
• Ayase Ueda - 6

Substitutes:

• Junnosoke Suzuki (66') - 6
• Yukinari Sugawara (66') - 6
• Ao Tanaka (78') - 5
• Shuto Machino (78') - 6
• Koki Ogawa (90') - N/A

Brazil steal it right at the death 🇧🇷

Gabriel Martinelli surely wins for his country in the 96th minute... pic.twitter.com/Ptly6foaIL

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 29, 2026

Player of the Match - Gabriel Martinelli

When you score a knockout goal for your country with two minutes on the clock to win the game and avoid an upset, the player of the match award has to go your way.

After running Japan defence knackered for 90 minutes, even bringing on the quality of Arsenal forward Martinelli, it's never going to be easy to keep them at bay for long. Vinicius was was held at arm's length well today, but Martinelli's impact in the 25 minutes he was on for was brilliant.

A world class side continues in the States.