Gabriel Martinelli scored deep into stoppage time to rescue Brazil from a potential World Cup upset, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan in their round-of-32 clash in Houston on Monday.
Japan shocked the five-time champions in the 29th minute. Kaishu Sano intercepted a poor pass from Danilo near midfield, drove forward and drilled a low shot into the bottom-left corner to give Japan an unexpected lead.
Brazil responded forcefully in the second half. Casemiro leveled the score in the 56th minute, heading home a precise cross from Gabriel Magalhães just out of goalkeeper Zion Suzuki's reach. Moments later Vinícius Júnior nearly put Brazil ahead after a mazy run but Suzuki deflected his shot onto the post.
As the match seemed destined for extra time Martinelli squeezed a dramatic game-winning shot inside the far post in the final moments of added time. However Brazil's celebration was slightly dampened when Casemiro was forced off with an apparent leg injury just before the final whistle.
Brazil advances to the round of 16 and will face either Ivory Coast or Norway on July 5 in New Jersey.
