Once again in this tournament, Brazil displayed stretches of uninspiring play but managed to pull through. Under Carlo Ancelotti’s strategy, which has proven effective at Real Madrid, the philosophy of staying competitive paid off: opponents falter, or star players deliver moments of brilliance.
At halftime, Brazil found themselves trailing 1-0 and facing the prospect of an early exit from the World Cup. With five players over the age of 30 in the starting lineup, including six defensive players, their age showed. Japan exhibited faster, more dynamic play, showcasing their creativity and sharpness. However, a halftime adjustment that saw Endrick come on and a tactical shift to 4-2-3-1 revitalized Brazil. The introduction of crosses into the box unsettled the Japanese defense, leading to a powerful equalizer from Casemiro and a stoppage-time winner by Gabriel Martinelli.
Japan, still seeking their first knockout stage victory in World Cup history, faced a mental hurdle acknowledged by their coach, Hajime Moriyasu. His pre-tournament assertion that they should aim for victory was seen as an attempt to challenge this psychological barrier. Although they fell short, their performance marked a significant milestone in their World Cup journey.
Brazil remains the only nation to have participated in every World Cup and has historically been the most successful, never failing to reach the last 16 and rarely dropping out of the top eight. Japan’s struggles in the knockout stages continued, but it would be unjust to claim they crumbled under pressure. They faced a Brazilian team that had adapted strategically, proving their mettle despite having only won once in the tournament.
Japan’s gameplay mirrored their earlier matches against Tunisia and Sweden, opting for a more defensive posture against Brazil, focusing on absorbing pressure and countering in bursts. Their compact formation effectively limited Vinícius Júnior’s influence, thanks to the diligent efforts of right-sided center-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and right wing-back Ritsu Doan, who effectively closed off his preferred channels.
During the first half, Japan’s plan was successful. Brazil dominated possession but, apart from a low shot from Matheus Cunha that was saved by Zion Suzuki, they struggled to create clear chances. As the first half progressed, Japan posed increasing threats, illustrated by Ayase Ueda’s near miss from a header and Kaishu Sano’s low strike that found the net after intercepting a pass from Danilo.
However, Ancelotti’s tactical changes revitalized Brazil’s approach. The switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation initiated a flurry of Brazilian attacks, primarily through crosses. Bruno Guimarães came close with a header that required a superb save, and Casemiro saw a shot cleared off the line, nearly ricocheting back into the goal. The equalizer arrived shortly after the second half began when Casemiro capitalized on a chip from Gabriel Magalhães with a decisive header. Vinícius Júnior almost added to the scoreline, but his flicked shot was deflected onto the post by Suzuki.
Moriyasu responded by substituting his wingbacks, which momentarily halted Brazil’s wave of chances. However, the momentum had shifted, and it felt inevitable that Brazil would find the net again. In the dying moments of the match, a critical error by Ao Tanaka allowed Guimarães to maneuver the ball across the box to Martinelli, who netted the decisive goal in the 95th minute.
With this victory, Brazil progresses to face the winner of the upcoming match between Côte d’Ivoire and Norway. Despite their shaky first-half performance, which revealed vulnerabilities, the second-half resurgence showcased their attacking prowess. There are lingering concerns about their ability to maintain this style of play, but Ancelotti’s disciplined approach, reminiscent of his time in Madrid, suggests that a sixth World Cup title may not be out of reach.
- World Cup 2026
- Brazil
- Japan
- World Cup
- match reports
