Gabriel Martinelli Scores Stoppage-Time Winner as Brazil Edges Japan 2-1

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Brazil national football team secured a hard-fought comeback victory over Japan in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The match, played in Houston, Texas, ended 2-1 in favor of the five-time world champions.

The Japanese team opened the scoring in the first half thanks to a clinical strike from Kaishu Sano, who found the back of the net in the 29th minute of the game after capitalizing on a loose ball. The Brazilians found their equalizer in the second half when midfielder Casemiro headed home a well-delivered cross from Gabriel Magalhaes in the 56th minute. The winning goal for the South American powerhouse came deep in stoppage time, when substitute Gabriel Martinelli found space in the box and scored in the fifth minute of injury time (90+5).

Thanks to this success, the Brazilian team advanced to the next round of the global tournament. In the Round of 16 match scheduled for July 5 in New York, Brazil will face the winner of the knockout matchup between the national teams of Norway and Ivory Coast.