Martinelli to the rescue as Brazil edge Japan 2-1 in last 32
By Michael Kahn
Brazil survived a World Cup last-32 scare when they fought back to beat Japan 2-1 after Gabriel Martinelli squeezed in a shot at the far post deep in stoppage time on âMonday.
Brazil, who will next face Norway or Ivory Coast in New Jersey on July 5th, â looked like they were headed to extra time in a match in which the âfive-times world champions struggled to break down a resolute Japanese side.
Japan's Kaishu Sano stunned Brazil after 29 minutes when â he intercepted Danilo’s misplaced pass âbefore driving toward goal and rifling a âshot past goalkeeper Alisson Becker to send the outnumbered Samurai Blue fans into delirium.
Japan put on a first-half âdefensive masterclass as they sucked up pressure with defenders flying around the â pitch, breaking up passes and closing â down space any âtime a Brazilian player had the ball.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti must have said something at half-time as his players came out with a sense of urgency and created a number of chances, finding the reward when Casemiro nodded in a far-post header in the 56th minute from a Gabriel Magalhaes cross.
Vinicius Jr’s mazy run ended with Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki â brilliantly pushing his shot on to the post and it looked like the match would head to extra time as Brazil searched for the winner.
Martinelli came to the rescue, however, to send Brazil into the round of â16 after Bruno Guimaraes received the ball on the âedge of the box and slipped it through for the Arsenal forward to supply a sharp finish.
