World Cup Stadium – Brazil are into the last 16 after Gabriel Martinelli struck in stoppage time to break Japanese hearts, completing a remarkable second-half comeback that saw the five-time world champions escape what seemed like an inevitable early exit.
Not for the first time in this tournament, there were long periods when Brazil did not impress. And not for the first time in this tournament, they got away with it. It may be inexplicable but the Carlo Ancelotti method that worked at Real Madrid is working again: stay in games and eventually either opponents will make a mistake or brilliant players will do something brilliant.
Brazil were 1-0 down at half-time and struggling. Their earliest exit from a World Cup seemed entirely possible. Five players in the Brazil starting lineup were aged over 30, five of the six defensive players – and they looked it. Japan were quicker, slicker, sharper and more imaginative. But the introduction of Endrick and a change of shape and approach at half-time changed everything.
Key developments:
- Brazil come from behind to beat Japan 2-1 and reach last 16
- Kaishu Sano gives Japan shock lead in 29th minute
- Casemiro heads equaliser in 56th minute after half-time transformation
- Gabriel Martinelli scores stoppage-time winner in 90+6 minute
- Brazil had never failed to make last 16 in World Cup history
- Japan have never won a World Cup knockout match
- Ancelotti's half-time changes and Endrick introduction transformed game
- Brazil to face winners of Côte d'Ivoire vs Norway in last 16
- Japan exit in first knockout round for fifth time
First Half: Japan Stun the Favourites
Japan had never won a World Cup knockout match, something that their manager, Hajime Moriyasu, acknowledged has become a psychological issue. His insistence before the tournament that Japan should be thinking of winning it was seen by many as an attempt to shock them over that issue. They still haven't, but this is surely the best they have ever performed at a World Cup.
Having taken the game to Tunisia and Sweden, this was more like the Japan that played the Netherlands, content to sit deep and absorb, pressing in staccato bursts. Out of possession Japan were extremely compact, with Vinícius Júnior barely involved, testament to the work done by the right-sided centre-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and the right wing-back Ritsu Doan to shut down the channel in which he likes to operate.
In the first half, the plan worked. Brazil had all the early possession but, beyond a low shot from Matheus Cunha that was pushed wide by Zion Suzuki, they struggled to create clear opportunities. The longer the first half went on, the more Japan threatened. Ayase Ueda headed a corner just over and then, with 29 minutes played, came the goal.
Danilo's attempt to work the ball to the left was intercepted by Kaishu Sano, who surged past Casemiro, an earlier booking perhaps making him wary, and fired a low shot into the corner from just outside the box. Japan led 1-0 at half-time, and Brazil's World Cup dreams were hanging by a thread.
Ancelotti's Masterclass: Half-Time Transformation
But Ancelotti made his changes and completely transformed the game. The introduction of Endrick and a switch to 4-2-3-1 brought a Brazilian surge, based largely around crosses. A Bruno Guimarães header drew a fine save. Casemiro had an effort cleared off the line that almost cannoned back in off Suzuki. The equaliser was coming.
It arrived after 56 minutes as Casemiro powered in Gabriel Magalhães's chip with a meaty header. Brazil were level, and the momentum had shifted decisively.
Vinícius shimmied in from the left but was denied as Suzuki deflected his flicked shot on to the post with his left hand. Moriyasu reacted by changing his two wingbacks and the flow of chances was staunched, at least to an extent. The threat they had offered in the first half, though, was gone.
Stoppage-Time Drama: Martinelli's Winner
The winner seemed only a matter of time and sure enough it arrived in the 95th minute. Ao Tanaka was dispossessed on the edge of his own box and, when the ball was worked across the area, Guimarães had the composure to wait and lay the ball left for Martinelli.
The Arsenal forward made no mistake, squeezing his shot past Suzuki and sending Brazil into the last 16. After 100 minutes, the whistle blew at last. Brazil had come from behind to beat Japan, and it's been an Ancelotti masterclass.
Analysis: Brazil's Flawed Brilliance
Brazil are through and will face the winners of Tuesday's match between Côte d'Ivoire and Norway. Again, it feels, there are questions to answer. The first-half display exposed all their weaknesses, especially in midfield. But the second-half transformation was profound and, once they hit their rhythm, there is no doubting their attacking quality.
The temptation is to think that they cannot keep doing this, that they cannot keep flirting with danger. But Ancelotti's Madrid used to, and they kept winning the Champions League. Perhaps a sixth World Cup really is on.
Japan, meanwhile, exit in the first knockout round for the fifth time. They have never won a World Cup knockout match, and this defeat will hurt. But they can take pride in a performance that pushed the five-time world champions to the brink. This is clearly a very gifted Japan side, even with the injuries to three of their most effective creators. There is no shame in losing a hard-fought knockout tie against another high-class side, no matter the round.
⚽ The Big Picture
Brazil's dramatic comeback victory over Japan was a tale of two halves. The first 45 minutes exposed all of Brazil's weaknesses – an ageing squad, a pedestrian midfield, and a lack of creativity against a well-organized opponent. But Carlo Ancelotti's half-time adjustments, including the introduction of Endrick and a switch to 4-2-3-1, completely transformed the game. Brazil started slinging crosses into the box, Japan wobbled, and the five-time world champions were able to call on their individual brilliance when it mattered most. For Japan, this was their best World Cup performance. They pushed Brazil to the brink and will leave with their heads held high. For Brazil, the questions remain. But if Ancelotti can keep pulling off comebacks like this, a sixth World Cup may not be out of reach.
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