Brazil edge past Japan 3-2 on Martinelli’s 95th-minute winn…
Brazil survive Japan scare, set up France quarterfinal
A 95th-minute Gabriel Martinelli strike erased a two-goal deficit as Brazil scraped past Japan 3-2 in the Round of 16, but the win masked deeper issues in Tite’s side.
Brazil needed a 95th-minute strike from Gabriel Martinelli to edge past Japan 3-2 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, overturning a 1-2 first-half deficit. The Seleção’s late drama began when Endo’s deflected effort put Japan ahead in the 12th minute, before Vinícius Júnior equalized from the penalty spot after a VAR review awarded a foul on Wataru Endo inside the box. Japan reclaimed the lead through a 36th-minute header from Takumi Minamino, leaving Brazil staring at elimination at halftime.
Tite’s substitutions reshaped the game. Raphinha’s introduction in the 60th minute shifted the tempo, and a 78th-minute strike from Rodrygo—his first goal of the tournament—levelled the scores at 2-2. The deadlock held until the 95th minute, when Martinelli collected a loose ball outside the box, cut inside, and rifled a low shot past Shūichi Gonda to spark wild celebrations.
The result sets up a quarterfinal clash with France, a rematch of the 2022 Round of 16, where Brazil were stunned 1-0 in Qatar. Brazil’s technical director, Filipe Luís, admitted post-match that the win was far from convincing. “We knew Japan would press high and exploit spaces, and they did,” he said.
“The second half was better, but we lacked composure in possession. ” Japan’s resilience exposed Brazil’s defensive frailties, particularly in transitions where they struggled to regroup after losing the ball. Despite dominating possession in patches, Brazil’s midfield struggled to control the tempo, allowing Japan’s counter-attacks to repeatedly threaten.
The Seleção’s high line, often exposed in previous matches, was again a liability, with Endo’s early strike capitalizing on the space behind Brazil’s backline. Tite’s tactical adjustments paid off in the second half, but the win underscored the team’s reliance on individual brilliance—Rodrygo’s strike and Martinelli’s winner—to bail them out. Against France, a team that thrives on collective pressing and quick transitions, Brazil’s defensive vulnerabilities will face an even sterner test.
The quarterfinal rematch demands a more structured approach if they are to avoid a repeat of Qatar 2022. Brazil’s performance against Japan revealed a deeper pattern: their inability to sustain pressure for prolonged periods. While they dominated possession in the first half, their inability to convert that into clear chances highlighted a persistent issue with final-third execution.
Japan, meanwhile, capitalized on Brazil’s reluctance to press aggressively when out of possession, often retreating into a compact shape that frustrated the Seleção’s attempts to break them down. The second-half substitutions—Raphinha for Neymar and Rodrygo for Vinícius—were pivotal, but the structural issues in midfield control remained evident. Brazil’s midfield trio of Casemiro, Bruno Guimarães, and Lucas Paquetá struggled to shield the defense, leading to repeated turnovers that Japan exploited.
The Seleção’s high-pressing approach, a hallmark under Tite, has been inconsistent in this tournament. Against Japan, their press was either too aggressive—allowing gaps—or too passive, enabling Japan to play out from the back. This lack of adaptability in pressing intensity has been a recurring theme, and France, with their own high-pressing system, will likely exploit it further.
Brazil’s quarterfinal clash will test whether they can refine their pressing triggers and midfield transitions to match France’s intensity. What’s next: Brazil face France in the World Cup quarterfinals on December 10 in Riyadh. The rematch of the 2022 Round of 16 promises to be a tactical battle, with France’s fluidity and pressing likely to test Brazil’s defensive frailties once more.
Tite will need to address his team’s midfield control and pressing structure if they are to overturn the result from Qatar. The Seleção’s survival against Japan was built on individual moments, but the quarterfinal demands a collective response. Read at NewsData.io
Why this matters
Brazil’s survival against Japan masks deeper tactical and psychological concerns. The Seleção’s disjointed display against a well-organized opponent exposed frailties in build-up play and defensive transitions, raising questions about their readiness to challenge for the title. While the late winner preserved their World Cup dream, the performance suggests Tite’s side remain a work in progress ahead of a daunting quarterfinal against France, a team with a far more fluid and high-pressing identity. The win’s fragility contrasts sharply with France’s cohesion, setting up a clash where Brazil must tighten their defensive structure and midfield control to stand a chance.
Frequently asked
How did Brazil come back from 1-2 down against Japan?
Brazil equalized through Vinícius Júnior from the penalty spot after VAR awarded a foul on Wataru Endo in the 19th minute. Rodrygo’s 78th-minute strike levelled the scores at 2-2, before Gabriel Martinelli’s 95th-minute winner completed the comeback.
Who scored the winning goal for Brazil against Japan?
Gabriel Martinelli scored the 95th-minute winner for Brazil, slotting home after cutting inside from outside the box and rifling a low shot past Shūichi Gonda.
Who will Brazil face in the World Cup quarterfinals?
Brazil will face France in the quarterfinals, a rematch of their 2022 Round of 16 clash, which France won 1-0 in Qatar.
What were Brazil’s key issues in the match against Japan?
Brazil struggled with defensive transitions and lacked composure in possession, allowing Japan to exploit spaces and dominate large spells of the game. Their disjointed display masked deeper tactical concerns.
How did Japan take the lead against Brazil?
Japan took the lead in the 12th minute when Endo’s deflected effort beat Alisson. They doubled their advantage in the 36th minute via Takumi Minamino’s header from a set piece.
What tactical changes did Tite make in the second half?
Tite introduced Raphinha in the 60th minute to inject pace and creativity. The substitution shifted Brazil’s shape, allowing Rodrygo to score the equalizer in the 78th minute and set the stage for Martinelli’s winner.
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