World Cup 2026: Brazil gets dramatic 2-1 win over Japan, scoring twice in second half

Gabriel Martinelli kicked a shot in off the right post for Brazil in the fifth minute of extra time, lifting Brazil to a 2-1 victory over Japan in a knockout stage match. BRAZIL TAKES THE LEAD LATE IN STOPPAGE TIME 🇧🇷 Absolutely clutch from Gabriel Martinelli! pic.twitter.com/gdN7ns8tLA — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 29, 2026 Casemiro scored the equalizer at the 56' mark of the second half, knocking in a header past Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who was caught flat-footed following a cross from Rayan. The Manchester United star nearly had a goal three minutes earlier, but his point-blank header was denied by Suzuki with help from his defense. CASEMIRO EQUALIZES FOR BRAZIL OFF THE HEADER 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZKWXjJeJQe — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 29, 2026 Keeping the pressure on the Japan net throughout the second half, Vinícius Júnior poked a ball toward the net at 58’ but couldn’t get much on the attempt. That allowed Suzuki to get a hand on it and push it to deflect off the right post. Zion Suzuki got just enough to save Vini Jr.'s go-ahead goal 🧤 pic.twitter.com/0Hg7pBmppM — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 29, 2026 Samurai Blue shocks Brazil with early lead Japan took a surprising 1-0 lead at the 29' mark with Kasha Sano pouncing on a pass at midfield and taking the ball into the Brazil zone. Sano split two defenders before firing a shot past defender Gabriel Magalhaes and goalkeeper Alisson Becker to put Samurai Blue ahead. JAPAN TAKES THE LEAD OVER BRAZIL 🇯🇵 Kaishu Sano with a beautiful finish pic.twitter.com/fh9ZzUGReU — FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 29, 2026 The score was certainly surprising at first glance based on Brazil's World Cup championship history compared to Japan's. But Canarinho controlled possession throughout the first half and frequently kept the action on Japan's side of the field. In the first half, Brazil had 8 shots to Japan's 4 despite trailing by a goal. Zion Suzuki blocked 4 of those shots in the Japan net. Brazil was also far more accurate with his passing, connecting on 93% of its attempts compared to 85% for Japan. As a result, Canarinho had 16 touches in the Japan box, while Samurai Blue only had two.