Brazil, aiming for its first World Cup title in 24 years at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, secured a dramatic comeback victory over Japan to advance to the round of 16.
Brazil, coached by Carlo Ancelotti, defeated Japan 2-1 in the tournament's round of 32 held at Houston Stadium in Texas on Tuesday (Korea time).
Brazil, which boasts the most World Cup titles with five, is competing for its first championship since the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament, 24 years ago. With the win, Brazil advanced to the round of 16 to continue its title bid and will face the winner of the Ivory Coast-Norway match for a place in the quarterfinals at New York/New Jersey Stadium in the United States on July 6.
Japan reached the round of 32 as runner-up in Group F, dubbed the "group of death," posting one win and two draws with no losses against the Netherlands, Sweden and Tunisia. Japan played evenly with the powerhouse Brazil on the day but could not clear the final hurdle and bowed out. Japan, coached by Hajime Moriyasu, had earned a 3-2 comeback victory over Brazil in a friendly match held in Tokyo last October, registering its first win in 14 meetings after a previous record of two draws and 11 losses, but tasted defeat in the rematch staged about eight months later.
Brazil fell behind when it conceded the opening goal to Kaishu Sano in the 29th minute. Sano intercepted a pass from Brazil's Danilo near the center line, then carried the ball alone and found the net with a right-footed shot near the penalty arc. But in the 56th minute, Casemiro headed home a cross delivered by Gabriel Magalhães from the left of the penalty arc to level the score. Then, in the 95th minute during stoppage time, Gabriel Martinelli scored the winning goal to complete a thrilling comeback victory.
