Everything „smelled“ like extra time in Houston, but it was Martinelli who prevented it in the 95th minute.
Even before the match, it was clear that Brazil was facing a tough task, and in the end, after a lot of struggle, they broke the resistance of a disciplined Japan, which held an active score for a long time.
We saw two different halves – in the first, Japan was solid, organized, and almost flawless in defense, while in the second half, Brazil took control, increased the pace, and achieved a turnaround worthy of a place among the top 16.
Brazil had only two modest attempts in the first 45 minutes through Mateus Cunha and Bruno Guimarães.
The „Samurais“ waited for their opportunity and found it in the 29th minute. Danilo lost the ball at the center of the field, taken away by Kaishu Sano, who escaped the defenders and with a precise low shot beat Alisson Becker.
At halftime, Carlo Ancelotti had to make a change – Lucas Paquetá went out due to injury, and Endrick came in.
Unlike the first half, the second half, specifically the first part of it, was lively, especially in front of the Asian team’s goal.
In the 52nd minute, the first real chance of the match for the „Seleção“. Danilo crossed from the right side, and Bruno Guimarães headed the ball, but Zayon Suzuki made an excellent save.
Two minutes later, almost all Brazilian fans saw the ball in the net. Casemiro, while falling, shot from close range, but almost on the goal line, he hit Takehiro Tomiyasu, and then Suzuki somehow intervened, clearing the danger.
However, from the third real chance in a short interval, the five-time world champion does not miss – Gabriel perfectly crossed the ball from the left flank, and Casemiro headed it in from the far post. The future Inter Miami player was on the edge of offside, but everything was regular.
Just 180 seconds later, Brazil was close to a complete turnaround. Vinícius Júnior, who was completely stopped in the first half, made a real slalom through the defense, cleverly shot with his right foot from the outside, but Suzuki miraculously saved and deflected the ball to the post.
Midway through the second half, finally something from Japan – Ayase Ueda took a shot from an angle on the left side, the ball touched a player, but Alisson was well positioned.
After that, the „Samurais“ returned to the game from the first half, specifically the discipline in defense, and when almost everyone at the „NRG Stadium“ in Houston was preparing for extra time, it did not happen.
Substitute Ao Tanaka lost the ball at the edge of the penalty area, Bruno Guimarães skillfully found Martinelli, who switched the ball from his left to his right foot and hit the far corner – and on that ball was the brilliant Suzuki, but it ended up behind his back off the post.
What might worry Ancelotti, besides the poor performance in the first half, is Casemiro’s injury, who had to leave the field during stoppage time.
Brazil will play in the round of 16 against the winner of the match Norway – Ivory Coast.
In the end, the giant is among the top 16 teams in the world, and Japan deserves applause for their brave performance.
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