SOCCER: Gabriel Martinelli's late winner helps Brazil rally past Japan

Gabriel Martinelli struck in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time to complete a dramatic comeback as Brazil rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Japan 2-1 in a FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash on Monday.

Casemiro leveled the match in the 56th minute after Brazil went into the break trailing 1-0 following a stunning opener from Kaishu Sano in the 29th minute. Brazil controlled much of the second half and steadily increased pressure before finally breaking through in the closing moments.

The decisive goal came after a turnover by Ao Tanaka in Brazil’s attacking half. He immediately lost possession to Rayan, who quickly linked up play with Bruno Guimarães. The midfielder shifted the ball left to Martinelli, who controlled it on his left foot before unleashing a powerful right-footed strike. Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki got a hand to the effort, but the ball deflected off the far post and into the net.

Suzuki produced five saves to keep Japan competitive throughout the match, while Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker made one stop. Brazil will now face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the Round of 16 on July 5 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The victory allowed Brazil to avoid an early World Cup exit, their earliest elimination threat since 1982. Japan, meanwhile, continue to search for their first knockout-stage win in tournament history.

Brazil began strongly but briefly lost momentum after Casemiro was booked for a heavy challenge on Junya Ito in the 14th minute. The resulting free kick and corner failed to produce a goal, but the incident helped Japan settle into the match.

Japan took advantage in the 29th minute when Sano capitalized on a loose Brazil pass, drove through midfield, and fired a low shot while falling to the ground. The ball slipped past Alisson into the bottom-left corner for his first international goal in his 15th appearance.

Brazil midfielder Lucas Paquetá was forced off just before halftime due to injury and was replaced by Endrick.

After the break, Brazil intensified their attack. A close-range header from Casemiro was denied when it struck defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, with Hiroki Ito clearing the ball off the goal line.

Casemiro eventually found his equalizer from a well-delivered cross by Gabriel Magalhães, heading the ball across Suzuki and into the net.

Moments later, Vinícius Júnior nearly put Brazil ahead with a dazzling run and chipped effort that was tipped onto the post by Suzuki.

Despite sustained pressure, Brazil could not convert several late set pieces, including multiple free kicks and corners in the final minutes before stoppage time. Their persistence was finally rewarded when Martinelli delivered the match-winning strike deep into added time. -Field Level Media/Reuters