Finally Brazil to the Round of 16 After Winning 2-1 Dramatic Over Japan

Brazil advanced to the 2026 World Cup round of 16 after defeating Japan in a dramatic match with a score of 2-1. (Instagram @fifaworldcup)

JAKARTA - The Brazilian national team ensured their move to the 2026 World Cup 16th round after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan in the 32nd round match at the Houston Stadium, USA, Tuesday morning WIB.

Having fallen behind through Kaishu Sano's goal, Selecao turned the tide through Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli's goals.

Thanks to this result, Brazil advanced to the round of 16 and will face the winner of the Ivory Coast vs Norway match. Meanwhile, Japan's move must stop in the round of 32.

Japan surprised Brazil by opening the lead in the 29th minute through Sano's individual action. The Japanese midfielder dribbled the ball from near the center line, broke through the Brazilian defense, then fired a horizontal shot from outside the penalty area that Alisson Becker couldn't reach.

After the long whistle was blown by the referee, the excitement could not be stopped by the Brazilian players. They strolled into the 16th round of the 2026 world cup. (Instagram @fifaworldcup)

The goal made Japan close the first half with a 1-0 lead even though they were under more pressure from Brazil throughout the first 45 minutes.

Entering the second half, coach Carlo Ancelotti immediately made changes by bringing in Endrick to replace Lucas Paqueta to increase the attack.

Brazil almost equalized in the 51st minute through Danilo's header, but Zion Suzuki was quick to block the ball. A minute later, Bruno Guimaraes' header was still able to be blocked by Takehiro Tomiyasu in front of the goal.

Brazil's pressure finally bore fruit in the 54th minute. Casemiro successfully headed Gabriel Magalhaes' cross into the far post to change the score to 1-1.

Selecao continued to press to turn the tide. Vinicius Junior almost brought Brazil ahead two minutes later, but his shot after passing several Japanese players only hit the crossbar after being deflected by Suzuki.

The long-awaited winning goal finally came in injury time, or the 95th minute. Gabriel Martinelli, who came on as a substitute, stood free to receive Bruno Guimaraes' pass in the penalty area before defeating Zion Suzuki from close range.

The goal, as reported by Antara, ensured Brazil's victory with a score of 2-1 and ended Japan's resistance at the 2026 World Cup.

The line-up:

Brazil: Alisson Becker; Danilo, Marquinhos, Gabriel Magalhaes, Douglas Santos; Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta; Rayan, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior.

Japan: Zion Suzuki; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito; Ritsu Doan, Kaishu Sano, Daichi Kamada, Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito; Ayase Ueda, Daizen Maeda.