Super-sub Gabriel Martinelli emerged as Brazil’s saviour, scoring a breathtaking winner deep into stoppage time to script a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over a resilient Japan in their FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash at the NRG Stadium on Monday.The five-time champions were staring down the barrel of a disastrous exit when the Samurai Blue took a shock lead in the 29th minute. Capitalising on a misplaced midfield pass, Kaishu Sano surged down the pitch and unleashed a brilliant right-footed strike from just outside the half-circle to stun Alisson Becker.Carlo Ancelotti’s half-time team talk completely revitalised the Brazil players, who came out fired up and dominated possession. After Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki bravely blocked Bruno Guimarães’ 52nd-minute header, and a subsequent Casemiro effort rebounded off a defender’s head and the custodian’s face, the breakthrough finally arrived. In the 56th minute, Casemiro made amends for earlier misses, leaping highest to meet a Gabriel Magalhães cross and power home a majestic header past Suzuki.Brazil smelled blood, but an exceptional Suzuki, who finished with four saves, denied a rampant Vinícius Júnior just two minutes later, tipping his left-box strike onto the far post.As Japan defended gamely, extra time appeared an absolute certainty, especially when a limping Casemiro was forced off with a leg injury in the 91st minute. However, Martinelli had other plans. In the 96th minute, Bruno Guimarães unlocked the defense with a slick pass, and the Arsenal winger calmly slotted home to trigger absolute pandemonium.The dramatic victory, coming on the anniversary of Brazil’s first World Cup triumph in 1958, extended their dominant head-to-head record against Japan to 12 wins in 15 games. It also shattered the hearts of a Japanese side backed by a deep cultural connection as Brazil houses the largest diaspora of 2.7 million Japanese descendants and a rich footballing lineage pioneered by legend Zico.While Japan’s hunt for a maiden knockout win continues, Brazil marches safely into the pre-quarterfinals in East Rutherford, New Jersey, awaiting either Ivory Coast or Norway.
