Cunha consoles tearful Tanaka as Brazil snatch stoppage-time win over Japan

Gabriel Martinelli fired home in the 96th minute to send Brazil into the World Cup Round of 16 with a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in Houston on Monday, with Matheus Cunha drawing praise for consoling a tearful Ao Tanaka in the immediate aftermath.

Kaishu Sano gave Japan the lead on the half-hour mark, stunning the Brazil supporters inside the stadium. Carlo Ancelotti’s side levelled early in the second half through former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, who powered home a header, before Martinelli settled the contest deep into stoppage time — latching on to a Bruno Guimarães through ball after Tanaka’s costly error.

Cunha, who was named in Ancelotti’s starting XI for a third consecutive game before being substituted in the second half, left Brazil’s celebrations to seek out the Leeds United midfielder. Tanaka was visibly distressed after his mistake directly contributed to the winning goal, and Cunha’s gesture drew widespread attention.

Former Liverpool and England defender Stephen Warnock offered his assessment of the decisive moment. “Japan has defended so well throughout this game, but Ao Tanaka makes an error, and this ball from Bruno Guimarães just splits the defenders, and then Gabriel Martinelli has the presence to stun the first touch and send it in,” Warnock said. “It’s a moment of brilliance from Brazil in the most crucial time of the game.”

Tanaka, 27, had come off the bench for the clash after starting Japan’s previous two group games. He began the 2022 World Cup as a reserve before earning a starting role, and followed a similar trajectory in this tournament. The midfielder spent three years in the Bundesliga with Fortuna Düsseldorf before joining Leeds.

Marinelli’s inclusion in Brazil’s squad had raised eyebrows given a mixed club season at Arsenal, where he frequently played second fiddle to Leandro Trossard under Mikel Arteta. His stoppage-time winner, however, justified Ancelotti’s faith and booked Brazil’s place in the last 16.