Gabriel Martinelli Secures Stoppage-Time Winner for Brazil in 2-1 Comeback vs. Japan

Brazil's Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time winner to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match on Monday, June 29. The match, played at Houston Stadium, saw Brazil come from behind to keep their record sixth World Cup title hopes alive.

What happened?

Brazil needed every minute of their Round of 32 match against Japan to keep their record sixth World Cup title hopes alive. Japan took a lead near the half-hour mark through Kaishu Sano as Casemiro and Gabriel Magalhaes switched off in their own half. However, those players combined for Casemiro's 56th-minute equalizer and second-half sub Gabriel Martinelli took a pass from likely Man of the Match winner Bruno Guimaraes to win the game with a classy finish in the sixth of six minutes' stoppage time.

Why it matters for Gabriel Martinelli

The win marked a crucial moment for Gabriel Martinelli, who came on as a substitute in the second half and made a significant impact on the game. His stoppage-time winner was a testament to his skill and composure under pressure, and it will be remembered as one of the key moments of the match.

What comes next?

Brazil will now move on to face the winner of Ivory Coast and Norway on July 5 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match will be a significant test for Brazil, who will be looking to build on their momentum and continue their push for a record sixth World Cup title.

The Round of 32 opponents had met more than a dozen times with Brazil controlling the rivalry but also losing the last match-up in October. Now Brazil move on to face the winner of Ivory Coast and Norway on July 5 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Brazil's Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time winner to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match on Monday, June 29. The match, played at Houston Stadium, saw Brazil come from behind to keep their record sixth World Cup title hopes alive.

Brazil's win was a result of a dominant performance, with the team controlling possession and creating several scoring opportunities. However, Japan's Kaishu Sano opened the scoring in the 29th minute, and it took Brazil until the 56th minute to equalize through Casemiro.

The second half saw Brazil dominate possession and create several scoring opportunities, but it was not until the sixth of six minutes' stoppage time that Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner. The goal was a result of a pass from Bruno Guimaraes, and it marked a crucial moment for Brazil in their push for a record sixth World Cup title.

Brazil's win marked a significant moment in their World Cup campaign, and it will be remembered as one of the key moments of the tournament. The team will now move on to face the winner of Ivory Coast and Norway on July 5 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and they will be looking to build on their momentum and continue their push for a record sixth World Cup title.

Key statistics

• Brazil's Gabriel Martinelli scored a stoppage-time winner to secure a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match on Monday, June 29.
• The match, played at Houston Stadium, saw Brazil come from behind to keep their record sixth World Cup title hopes alive.
• Brazil's win marked a significant moment in their World Cup campaign, and it will be remembered as one of the key moments of the tournament.
• The team will now move on to face the winner of Ivory Coast and Norway on July 5 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.