Brazil, the Samba squad aiming to reclaim the world title for the first time in 24 years, has advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America after a hard-fought victory against Japan.

The Brazilian national football team, led by manager Carlo Ancelotti, secured a 2-1 comeback win against Japan in the Round of 32 match held at Houston Stadium in Texas, USA, on Tuesday (June 30).

Although they conceded the opening goal to Kaishu Sano in the 29th minute, Brazil leveled the score with a header from Casemiro in the 56th minute. They then clinched a dramatic victory with a winning goal from Gabriel Martinelli in the 50th minute of the second half, deep into stoppage time.

Brazil, the most successful nation in World Cup history with five titles but without a trophy since the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament, continues its quest for another championship.

Brazil will face the winner of the Cote d'Ivoire-Norway match in the quarterfinals at the New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 6.

Japan, which finished second in Group F with one win and two draws in this tournament's Group of Death alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia, played an even match against the powerhouse Brazil but ended its tournament run in the Round of 32 due to a lack of late-game stamina.

Japan, managed by Hajime Moriyasu, had previously recorded its first victory against Brazil in 14 matches—after a record of two draws and 11 losses—with a 3-2 comeback win in a friendly match held in Tokyo last October. However, they were defeated in this rematch eight months later.

The first half unfolded according to Japan's game plan.

Japan defended against Brazil's offensive by setting up a tight, flat line of five defenders.

Brazil increased their possession but struggled to break through Japan's dense defense.

Before the water break in the first half, Brazil attempted four shots, but none were on target.

Japan, which had been waiting for an opportunity while holding their ground, broke the deadlock with a single counterattack in the 29th minute.

After intercepting a pass from Brazil's Danilo near the center line, Sano drove the ball forward alone before firing a low right-footed shot from outside the penalty arc into the bottom left corner of the Brazilian goal.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker dove for the ball but could not reach it.

It was Japan's only shot on target out of the four they recorded in the first half.

Brazil recorded their first shot on target in the 34th minute with a right-footed mid-range shot from Vinicius Junior, which was caught by Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

A right-footed shot by Matheus Cunha from outside the penalty area in the 38th minute was also comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.

Trailing 0-1 at halftime, Brazil brought on 2006-born forward Endrick in place of Lucas Paqueta at the start of the second half to pressure the Japanese goal.

In the 52nd minute, a header by Bruno Guimaraes from a Danilo cross was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, a decisive header by Casemiro in front of the goal hit the face of Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, leaving Brazil with a sense of missed opportunity.

However, Brazil finally succeeded in opening the Japanese goal in the 56th minute.

Casemiro headed in a cross delivered by Gabriel Magalhaes from the left side of the penalty arc, leveling the score.

With momentum on their side, Vinicius Junior used his individual skills to bypass the defense in the 58th minute and attempted an outside-foot shot from the left side of the penalty area, but the ball grazed the goalkeeper's hand and hit the goalpost.

Afterward, Japan reinforced their defensive wall and looked for occasional counterattacks, while Brazil continued to press unilaterally but struggled to find an additional goal.

Just as it seemed the match would head into the first extra time of the tournament, the game was decided in the 50th minute of the second half.

Martinelli received a pass from Guimaraes near the arc and fired a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty box to score the thrilling winning goal.

The ball, struck by Martinelli who had been substituted in for Cunha in the 66th minute, hit the right side of the Japanese goalpost and went in, sealing the fate of both teams.

(Photo: Getty Images)