Brazil beat – Brazil were rocked when Japan took the lead in Houston, but Carlo Ancelotti’s changes sparked a comeback. Casemiro equalised, then Gabriel Martinelli struck in added time to secure a 2-1 win and a spot in the last 16 against either Norway or Ivory Coast.
Houston felt like it was tilting against Brazil long before the final whistle.
They started the game staring at a familiar nightmare: a World Cup where the dominant story could have flipped into something unrecognisable. After going behind to Japan in Houston. Brazil looked headed toward a collapse that would have ranked among their worst group-stage exits — possibly the most traumatic since 1966. when they last failed to reach the last 16.
Instead, they held their breath and struck back.
In a dramatic 2-1 victory. Brazil sealed their place in the last 16 with goals from Casemiro and a last-gasp winner from Gabriel Martinelli. The match ended with Brazil breathing again. and with the tournament’s conversation changing direction — away from panic. toward the question of how they turned it so quickly.
Brazil Japan Houston Ancelotti Casemiro Martinelli last 16 Norway Ivory Coast July 5
Late winner?? Brazil really out here saving it at the buzzer.
So Japan led and then Brazil just… magically came back? That’s wild. I feel like Ancelotti must’ve yelled something like 3 minutes in.
I’m confused though, because Japan took the lead “in Houston” but why does that matter? Like is this some American league thing lol. Also Martinelli scoring in added time sounds like it was offside or something.
Honestly I don’t get how Brazil were “rocked” and then immediately fixed it. They always look shaky early, then Casemiro scores and suddenly everyone’s calm? Next match vs Norway or Ivory Coast… I guess that’s just how brackets work, but I’ve never heard of Ivory Coast in soccer until this tourney.