SOURCE: BBC Sports
Arsenal’s Martinelli scores 96th-minute winner as Brazil beat Japan
Ancelotti’s side had to come from behind, with Casemiro scoring after Sano opener
Brazil will play either Norway or Ivory Coast in last 16
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FT: Brazil 2-1 Japan
Japan looked good value for their 1-0 lead at half-time. But it was all Brazil in the second half.
And the Selecao go through to the last 16 joining co-hosts Canada.
They will now face Ivory Coast or Norway for a place in the quarter-finals.
It’s a heartbreaker because it arrives late but Brazil could have put the game to bed many times during that second half. Thoroughly deserved win for the team that undeniably looked the more lethal of the two.
Brian, Netherlands
Everyone talking like Brazil are incredible and this was well deserved. Japan could have easily won this. Brazil should be reflecting.
Vicky, Manchester
That was one of the closest World Cup matches I’ve ever watched, well done Japan so close to extra time but congratulations to Brazil, again pure football theatre.
Patrick, Scotland
Brazil have won after trailing at half-time in the World Cup for the first time since 3 June, 2002 against Turkey.
They attempted 682 passes against Japan today with Gabriel Magalhaes attempting 135 – the highest by a Brazil player this World Cup.
The start of the second half – fair play for Brazil coming out and being as bold as they were.
You felt the equaliser was coming, but then Japan went again and it became quite an open game.
I think it would have been fair to go to extra-time, but football is all about moments and that wonderful moment of magic from Martinelli.
Brazil are through again. Crafty Carlo, once again. That is what he does.
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Have Japan deserved to win? Stats say otherwise but feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
Jon, Cheddington
While Japan put up a heroic fight, the game should always be about goals, not defending, Deserved win for Brazil. Unlucky Japan.
A cruel game, Brazil struggled so much in the first half to break down Japan and changes at half time by Carlo Ancelotti made the difference. Japan couldn’t deal with their balls into the box. The clinical finish late on was enough to see Japan off.
Brazil are through the last 16 of the World Cup at the expense of Japan, whose players are in tears in Houston.
They gave the South Americans a big fight but Carlo Ancelotti’s side found a way.
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Bit of a shame to see such an average Brazil side scrape through again. Japan deserve more.
Chris, Edinburgh
It’s a shame to see Japan going out. They have put up a great effort, but in the end Brazil were just too offensive and the pressure was starting to build up.
Juan, Argentina
Man. There it is. Brazil have clinched it. Good goal, but would have been nice to see Japan progress. Dull.
Rob, Northampton
We are into the nine minutes of added time.
The Brazil substitutes and coaching staff are on their feet, waiting for the whistle that will confirm their place in the last 16.
So cruel on Japan, but Brazil have worked so hard in this second half to bring themselves back.
Kev, Wolves
Japan just went too negative and too deep – shame
That assist for Gabriel Martinelli will be Bruno Guimaraes’ final involvement in the game.
He is replaced by Danilo Santos while Japan throw on Koki Ogawa for Daizen Maeda.
A last throw of the dice from Hajime Moriyasu?
