Brazil ekes out win over Japan late in injury time, overcoming first-half deficit

Gabriel Martinelli scored late in injury time to give Brazil a 2-1 win over Japan in the Round of 32 at the World Cup on Monday in Houston.

Martinelli, who had come on as a second-half substitute, scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time as the match appeared to be headed to extra time.

"Above all else we wanted to freshen up the field because Martinelli has a lot of intensity as a player," Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti said through a translator. "When he goes in the match he's always on his top game."

Brazil will next face either the Ivory Coast or Norway on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J., in the Round of 16.

"We can never be content with what we're doing," Ancelotti said. "We're doing a good job. We are performing. But you can never be content because we want to play better. We want to play at the highest level."

Casemiro had earlier drawn even on a header in the 56th minute off an assist from Gabriel Magalhães after just missing another chance two minutes earlier. The shot sailed just out of reach of the outstretched hand of Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and into the net.

BRAZIL SCORE IN STOPPAGE TIME TO TAKE THE LEAD!<br><br>Gabriel Martinelli finds the back of the net and Brazil look to be off to the Round of 16!<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/FIFAWorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWorldCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/jxCvDsi6Wr">pic.twitter.com/jxCvDsi6Wr</a>

Kaishu Sano stole a misplaced pass at midfield and took it down the field before a right-footed shot from above the half circle to put Japan ahead in the 29th minute.

"There is not not making mistakes because nobody is perfect," Ancelotti said. "But you have to overcome it and you have to push it forward. The team did a good job of that in