Brazil break Japan's hearts with stoppage-time winner in World Cup round of 16

Brazil came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 in Houston in the first knockout round of the World Cup. Japan took the lead in the 30th minute when Kaishu Sano intercepted the ball in midfield and scored with a precise long-range shot. Brazil dominated possession but struggled to break down a disciplined Japanese defense.

In the second half, Brazil increased the pressure. In the 56th minute, Casemiro equalized from a Gabriel Gamaļaisa cross. Vinícius Júnior later hit the post. The decisive moment came in the fifth minute of stoppage time when a Japanese error allowed Bruno Guimarães to set up Gabriel Martinelli, who scored from close range to make it 2-1.

Brazil will face Ivory Coast or Norway in the quarter-finals. This was the 14th meeting between Brazil and Japan; Brazil have won 11, with two draws, and Japan's last victory came in a friendly in October last year (3-2). Their only previous World Cup encounter was in 2006, a 4-1 win for Brazil.

This is the first 48-team World Cup, hosted by Mexico, the USA, and Canada. 12 groups of four produced 32 knockout qualifiers (top two from each group plus eight best third-placed teams). The semi-finals are scheduled for July 14 and 15, the third-place match on July 18, and the final on July 19. Argentina are the defending champions, having beaten France on penalties in the 2022 final.