Live Roundups Editor's Desk Insights Executive Ops Weather About 🔍
Home › Sport › Brazil survive World Cup scare against Japan
Sport

Brazil survive World Cup scare against Japan

ESPN Monday 29 June 2026, 20:06 UTC By ESPN 1 min read
Key Points

Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time winner for Brazil to beat plucky Japan 2-1 in the round of 32 at the World Cup on Monday. Kaishu Sano's first-half opener gave Japan real hope to cause an all-time upset but Casemiro headed home an equaliser after 56 minutes. Martinelli then struck six minutes into added time to break Japan's hearts and ensure the five-time winners advanced beyond this tough test.

Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time winner for Brazil to beat plucky Japan 2-1 in the round of 32 at the World Cup on Monday. Kaishu Sano's first-half opener gave Japan real hope to cause an all-time upset but Casemiro headed home an equaliser after 56 minutes. Martinelli then struck six minutes into added time to break Japan's hearts and ensure the five-time winners advanced beyond this tough test. It was Brazil's latest goal in normal time to win a World Cup game.
Brazil (LOCATION) World Cup (EVENT) Japan (LOCATION) Gabriel Martinelli (PERSON) the World Cup (EVENT) Kaishu Sano's (PERSON) Casemiro (PERSON) Martinelli (PERSON)
Originally published by ESPN Read original →

Related Stories

Sinner's shaky start raises questions -- is he vul...

WIMBLEDON, England -- After his stunning second-round exit at Roland Garros just over a month ago, many expected Jannik Sinner to make a statement in his opener at Wimbledon on Monday. Although it wasn't exactly the one he was hoping for. Instead of returning to the dominant level he had shown all spring before the French Open -- winning all five Masters 1000-level events -- Sinner once again looked vulnerable and needed to fight his way to the 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-3 victory over world...

ESPN just now

Copy of Brazil avoid World Cup shock with late win vs. Jap...

HOUSTON -- Gabriel Martinelli scored five minutes into stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win for Brazil against Japan in Houston after the five-time FIFA World Cup winners fought back from potential humiliation following Kaishu Sano's first-half opening goal. Sano's 29th minute goal stunned Carlo Ancelotti's team and raised the prospect of Brazil losing a competitive game against Asian opposition for the first time and leading to one of the World Cup's biggest-ever shocks. But a Casemiro header on...

ESPN just now

Experts weigh in: What can we expect from Serena a...

On Tuesday, Serena Williams will return to singles competition for the first time in nearly four years. And later this week, she will play doubles with her sister Venus. While Serena is a seven-time singles and six-time doubles champion at Wimbledon, she has played in only two doubles matches since announcing her return to the sport on June 1.

ESPN 13m ago

Bournemouth reject Arsenal interest in Scott

Bournemouth reject an enquiry from Arsenal for Alex Scott and say the midfielder is not for sale this summer.

BBC Sport 17m ago