Brazil Come From Behind to Beat Japan 2-1 and Reach the World Cup 2026 Round of 16
Brazil are into the Round of 16, and they had to earn it the hard way. Trailing Japan at the break, the Seleção turned the Round of 32 tie around at NRG Stadium in Houston, winning 2-1 with a 90th-minute winner from Gabriel Martinelli to advance to the next round Match centre: Brazil vs Japan. Japan are out.
How it happened
Japan struck first. Koki Sano put them ahead in the 29th minute, and Brazil went into halftime chasing the game 1-0 down Match centre: Brazil vs Japan.
The response came after the break. Casemiro equalized in the 56th minute, finishing from a Gabriel assist to level the tie. From there Carlo Ancelotti's side pushed for the winner, and it arrived at the death: Gabriel Martinelli struck in the 90th minute, set up by Bruno Guimaraes, to send Brazil through 2-1 Match centre: Brazil vs Japan.
A knockout game settled in the final minute. The margins do not get thinner.
Why it matters
This was not a tune-up. It was win-or-go-home, and Brazil answered a real test: they fell behind to a disciplined Japan side and found a way back, the mark of a team built for tournament football. The attacking depth told in the end. Casemiro provided the steel in midfield, and the substitutes and runners kept coming until Martinelli forced the decisive moment.
Brazil's squad carries the firepower to go deep. Vinicius Junior and Raphinha give Ancelotti two elite wide threats, Bruno Guimaraes anchors the midfield, and Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhaes hold the back line in front of Alisson Becker. Neymar adds a wildcard option from the bench. Against Japan it was Casemiro and Martinelli who delivered.
What comes next
Brazil advance to the Round of 16, where their opponent will be set by the corresponding Round of 32 tie. Track the live bracket and every knockout result on Brazil's hub page and the full World Cup 2026 bracket.
What was the result of Brazil vs Japan?
Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in the Round of 32 to reach the Round of 16. Sano put Japan ahead in the 29th minute, Casemiro equalized in the 56th, and Martinelli scored the winner in the 90th Match centre: Brazil vs Japan.
Did Brazil advance at the World Cup 2026?
Yes. Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in the Round of 32 and have advanced to the Round of 16. Japan were eliminated.