Brazil 2 x 1 Japan: see the best moments from the World Cup game
Brazil beat Japan 2-1, on Monday afternoon (29), at NRG Stadium, in Houston, United States, in a match valid for the second phase of the 2026 World Cup.
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With the result, the Brazilian team advances to the round of 16 of the tournament and awaits the winner of the clash between Ivory Coast and Norway.
The duel started off balanced, with Brazil dominating possession and creating the first opportunities, but without being able to convert the chances into goals.
Japan opened the scoring in the 28th minute of the first half in a move that arose from a Brazilian defensive error. After Danilo's wrong pass on the right, Kaishu Sano advanced with the ball, shot low from outside the area and beat goalkeeper Alisson, opening the scoring at NRG Stadium.
Seleção Canarinho ended the first stage at a disadvantage, despite having dominated the finishing statistics - eight attempts compared to the opponent's three until that moment.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti introduced Endrick in place of Lucas Paquetá at the beginning of the second half, looking for more offensive power.
Brazilian pressure had an effect ten minutes into the second stage. Gabriel Magalhães received a low pass on the edge of the penalty area, crossed at the second post and Casemiro headed it firmly to level the match.
After the draw, Vinícius Júnior still hit the post in a dangerous move, while goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made two difficult saves to keep the Japanese in the fight.
The turning goal only came in second-half stoppage time. In the 50th minute, Bruno Guimarães found Gabriel Martinelli inside the area, the attacker hit it with his good leg, the ball touched the goalkeeper and ended up in the back of the net, declaring the Brazilian victory.
In the statistical field, Brazil's dominance was evident throughout the match. The Seleção finished 20 times compared to just five from Japan, completed 618 passes compared to 249 from their opponents and recorded ten successful tackles, compared to seven from the Japanese.
On the other hand, Japan was efficient defensively for much of the game, accumulating eight defensive blocks and 51 clearances, in addition to two difficult saves from goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
In terms of discipline, Italian referee Maurizio Mariani handed out five yellow cards throughout the match - two for Brazil, with Casemiro and Danilo being warned, and three for Japan, with Kaishu Sano, Daichi Kamada and Junnosuke Suzuki receiving punishments.
With the elimination, Japan ends its participation in the 2026 World Cup with a campaign of one victory, two draws and one defeat, totaling five points in the competition.
Brazil, in turn, remains undefeated in the tournament - two wins, a draw and now another victory in the knockout stage - and awaits their opponent in the round of 16 to continue their search for a sixth world championship.
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Source: CNN