2026 World Cup: Martinelli scores dramatic 96th-minute winner to send Brazil into last 16

Brazil battled back from a goal down in Houston to eventually sink Japan in stoppage time and secure their berth in the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

After a positive start, Brazil fell behind just before the half-hour mark when Kaishu Sano intercepted a loose pass and surged towards the edge of the penalty area before firing a low shot into the bottom corner to put Japan ahead.

After a first half that saw his side look off the pace and out of sorts, Carlo Ancelotti made some tactical adjustments, including the introduction of the lively Endrick up front. And with Brazil changing their approach, replacing neat interplay with crosses into the box, the Selecao finally found the equaliser on 56 minutes.

Casemiro had just seen a point-blank header blocked on the goal-line when he rose highest at the back post to plant a header into the far corner to draw Brazil level. Then, moments later, Vinicius Jr was denied a potential goal of the tournament by a brilliant fingertip stop by Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki, who had an outstanding game between the sticks for the Samurai Blue.

With Japan dropping deep to hold on for extra time, Brazil poured on the pressure in the closing stages, and eventually got their reward deep into stoppage time when Bruno Guimaraes found Gabriel Martinelli in the box. The Arsenal forward took a touch and placed his effort into the bottom corner, via Suzuki's fingertips and the inside of the post, to send the Brazilian fans into wild scenes of celebration.

Brazil's victory means they progress to the last 16 of the tournament, where they will head to New Jersey to face the winner of the Cote d'Ivoire v Norway match that will take place on Tuesday evening.