Five Things We Learned from Brazil 2-1 Japan

Five Things We Learned from Brazil 2-1 Japan

A late Gabriel Martinelli goal saved Brazil from a potential upset on their way to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a stubborn Japan outfit to make their way to the last 16.

Here are five things we learned from this incredible Round of 32 clash in Houston.

🚨🇧🇷 OFFICIAL: BRAZIL BEAT JAPAN AND FLY TO WC ROUND OF 16! 🍿

Who’s been your Man of the Match? 🏅 pic.twitter.com/7d6lefEh1k

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 29, 2026

1. Pledge for 2050 Has to Wait Another Four Years

In 2005, the Japanese Football Association made a statement in their efforts to win the World Cup by the year 2050 - known as the "Pledge for 2050".

After another knockout defeat, Japan are wondering when they will win a World Cup knockout match at all, let alone the whole shabang.

In 2018, it was a tough loss to Germany, in 2022 it was a penalty defeat to Croatia, and now another loss to Brazil - despite being in front in each game. It will happen for them at some point for sure as they are improving year after year, but it is a long wait until they can try again.

2. Don Carlo Knows Ball

At half-time, Casemiro came into question, especially by the pundits on ITV. Not only was he on a yellow card, therefore meaning he will miss the last 16 tie, but his defending was poor for Japan's opening goal.

However, these big situations call for the minerals and massive choices must be made. Carlo Ancelotti is made for this stage and making these decisions, and the decisions not to take the ex-Real Madrid midfielder off surprised thousands.

But he came up trumps almost immediately, scoring before the hour mark to get his side back on level terms.

3. Suzuki is Class

It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Samurai Blue, but there were many players today who put on a performance to be proud of. One of those was Parma's Zion Suzuki, who had a brilliant debut World Cup.

What a save by Zion Suzuki to deny Vinicius pic.twitter.com/9IG0JdOI0B

— 🇨🇩🇸🇱 (@8Flavs) June 29, 2026

In four games, he made 12 saves and was one of the few reasons Japan took Brazil so close today. For example, the first half low-driven effort by Matheus Cunha, or the save to deny a potential goal of the tournament contender by Vinicius Jr.

At just 23 years old, Suzuki has put his name out there to the world, and it won't be surprising to see him on the move this summer, to a rather big club too.

4. Inch-Perfect

Martinelli's goal to find the back of the net was near inch-perfect to give Selecao the victory.

The ball was won back superbly deep in Japan's half by Rayan, and he did well to pick out Bruno Guimaraes on the edge of the box. From there, he found a surprisingly open Martinelli, who had the time to take touch, set himself and fire an effort towards the right corner.

It was a somewhat similar position to Vinicius' earlier chance, where Suzuki could his fingertips on it to guide the ball on to the post and out, but this time, the ball snuck past his hand and off the post.

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

5. A Sixth Crown Incoming?

Brazil's resilience, big name stars delivering and a world class coach is exactly why they are in the running to win a sixth World Cup.

Japan without doubt would have caused a lot of frustration to Brazil after they took the lead against the run of play, but their way to bounce back immediately to put on so much pressure and eventually get their reward.

Japan never backed down from the fight and weren't afraid to get forward, even when they had the lead, but Brazil were very impressive today after a couple of questionable showings in the group stage, and may very well be on their way to another World Cup final appearance.