Martinelli's stoppage-time winner sends Brazil into World Cup round of 16

Gabriel Martinelli rescued Brazil with a stoppage-time winner to seal a 2-1 victory over Japan in the 2026 World Cup round of 32 at Houston on Monday, sending Seleção into the last 16 at the expense of a side that led for much of the contest.

Japan looked set to cause a major upset after Kaishu Sano put them ahead in the 29th minute, and Brazil struggled to break down a disciplined defensive block. Casemiro steadied the ship with an equaliser in the 56th minute, but it took a substitute’s intervention to settle it — Martinelli, introduced from the bench, found the net deep in stoppage time to send the five-time world champions through.

Brazil will now face the winner of Norway versus Ivory Coast, who meet on Tuesday in Dallas, in the round of 16 on Sunday, 5 July at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Should Brazil advance past that hurdle, their potential quarterfinal opponents are Mexico, Ecuador, England or DR Congo. Mexico and Ecuador meet on Tuesday in Mexico City, while England face DR Congo on Wednesday in Atlanta. A quarterfinal place would take Brazil to Miami Stadium on Saturday, 11 July.

In terms of FIFA rankings, Brazil sit fifth globally. England, one of the more likely quarterfinal opponents, are ranked fourth, Mexico ninth and Ecuador 24th.

The semifinal draw opens up further, with Argentina, Cape Verde, Australia, Egypt, Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia and Ghana all among the possible opponents if Brazil reach that stage, scheduled for Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, 15 July.

Brazil’s campaign has not been without nerves — Monday’s win was far from comfortable — but Martinelli’s decisive contribution ensures the tournament’s most decorated nation remains very much in the hunt for a sixth world title.