Brazil Beat Japan 2-1 in Stoppage Time to Reach World Cup Last 16

Brazil are through to the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Japan at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday. Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time to send the five-time world champions through in front of a crowd of 68,777.

Kaishu Sano gave Japan the lead on 29 minutes, capitalising on a loose pass from Danilo to drive past Casemiro and drill the ball into the bottom corner. Brazil struggled to find a response before halftime, but Carlo Ancelotti's side came out a different team after the break.

Casemiro levelled on 56 minutes, powering home a header from Gabriel Magalhaes' back-post cross to make it 1-1. Brazil then pushed hard for a winner. Vinicius Junior came agonisingly close just minutes later, nutmegging a defender, driving into the box and stabbing a shot toward the far corner, only for goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to tip it onto the post.

Japan held firm for much of the second half, but their resistance finally broke deep into stoppage time. Ao Tanaka lost the ball on the edge of his own box and Bruno Guimaraes slipped a quick pass to Martinelli, who took a touch and slotted home off the post to seal the win in the 96th minute.

The statistics told the story of Brazilian dominance. Ancelotti's side finished the match with 69% possession, 19 shots to Japan's 5, and an expected goals figure of 1.69 compared to Japan's 0.23. Brazil completed 625 of 682 passes, made 107 final third entries and registered 35 touches inside Japan's penalty area to Japan's 11.

Japan were not without credit. Suzuki made four saves and Japan cleared the ball 45 times, with Takehiro Tomiyasu particularly busy at the back with nine clearances and one goal-line stop. The Japanese side committed 13 fouls to slow Brazil's rhythm and largely held their shape until the very end.

Ancelotti made a key change at halftime, bringing on Endrick for Lucas Paqueta to freshen up the attack. The impact was immediate, with Brazil creating four big chances in the second half before Martinelli finally found the decisive goal.

Casemiro was forced off in the opening minute of second-half stoppage time with what appeared to be a leg injury, adding another concern for Brazil heading into the knockout rounds.

Brazil, who topped Group C with seven points, will now prepare for a Round of 16 clash against either Norway or Ivory Coast. 

Japan, who more than matched them for large stretches of the game, exit the tournament having given one of the tournament's bigger sides a genuine scare.