Super-substitute Gabriel Martinelli emerged as Brazil’s saviour, scoring a stunning winner deep into stoppage time to seal a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over a resilient Japan in their FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash at NRG Stadium on Monday.The five-time champions were staring down the barrel of a disastrous exit when Samurai Blue shockingly took the lead in the 29th minute. Taking advantage of a misplaced pass in the middle of the pitch, Kaishu Sano raced down the pitch and fired a superb right-footed shot from the edge of the half-circle to stun Alisson Becker.Carlo Ancelotti’s team talk at halftime completely revitalized the Brazilian players, who came out energized and dominated possession. After Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki bravely blocked a Bruno Guimarães header in the 52nd minute and Casemiro’s subsequent shot bounced off the head of a defender and into the keeper’s face, the turnaround finally arrived. In the 56th minute, Casemiro made up for his earlier misses, jumped the highest and met Gabriel Magalhães’ cross and scored a magnificent header past Suzuki.Brazil smelled blood but the outstanding Suzuki, who finished with four saves, denied the rampant VinÃcius Júnior just two minutes later, deflecting his shot from the left at the far post.With Japan playing defensively, extra time seemed an absolute certainty, especially when a limping Casemiro was forced off with a leg injury in the 91st minute. However, Martinelli had other plans. In the 96th minute, Bruno Guimarães unlocked the defense with a sliding pass and the Arsenal winger calmly slotted home to cause absolute pandemonium.The dramatic win, which comes on the anniversary of Brazil’s first World Cup triumph in 1958, extended their dominant head-to-head record against Japan to 12 wins in 15 games. He also broke the hearts of a Japanese side backed by a deep cultural bond as Brazil has the largest diaspora of 2.7 million Japanese descendants and a rich football lineage led by legend Zico.While Japan continue to hunt for a first knockout win, Brazil are safely marching into the pre-quarterfinals in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where they await Ivory Coast or Norway.
