Japan temporarily stunned the world Monday with a 1–0 halftime lead against perennial powerhouse Brazil, but the South American nation that leads the globe with five previous World Cups put its tradition and star power to work for a comeback win in the 96th minute.
The crowd at Houston Stadium, overwhelmingly decked out in Brazil yellow, went nuts with just seconds left in second-half stoppage time when substitute Gabriel Martinelli settled a pass from Bruno Guimaraes in front of the goal, took a slight touch as he looked to pick a spot, and nailed it into the right corner of the net. The sequence happened after a bad turnover deep in Japan’s own end.
Japan, like Brazil, went into the match confident after group play, having tied the superpower Netherlands before beating Tunisia 4–0 and tying Sweden 1–1. Ahead of qualifying last year, it also beat Brazil and England in exhibition games.
The early kickoff, noon, did not bother the players from the Land of the Rising Sun. They battled for possession early and, unlike Brazil’s typical opponents, were not content to sit back and absorb pressure.
Japan’s quick-attacking forwards and midfielders looked to pounce on Brazil’s confident but casual passing style out of the back.
It worked. In the 29th minute, Kaishu Sano collected a misplaced pass from Brazilian defender Danilo Luiz da Silva, sprinted with the ball about 30 yards past other Brazilian defenders, who backed up, almost as if they were inviting him to shoot. Sano fired low left past goalkeeper Alisson Becker. It was Sano’s first goal for his national team.
Brazil started the second half with a greater sense of urgency and sharper, more direct balls out of the back. By the 55th minute mark, it totaled 17 crosses in Japan’s goal area and overwhelmingly controlled possession of the ball. Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who was born in New Jersey, stopped a flurry of Brazil chances, including a diving header.
Carlos Casemiro, 34, who is playing in his final World Cup for Brazil, equalized in the 56th minute, redirecting a cross with his head just over Suzuki’s fingertips and just under the crossbar.
Brazil kept bringing heat late in the match, but Japan was going for the win as well, not content to sit back and defend, and played mostly mistake-free soccer until its turnover leading to Martinelli’s goal just before the final whistle.
“We really controlled the match, and finally generated the opportunity,” the winning goal scorer told a FIFA reporter.
Japan, though a fairly young team, dominated Asia in qualifying and has several players in Europe’s top leagues. Despite Brazil’s pedigree and long history of World Cup success, it’s still difficult to accept the result considering it was on the brink of pulling off the win, Japan defender Shogo Taniguchi told a FIFA reporter after the match.
“It’s very frustrating,” he said.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said, “This was the most complete game that we played. … I believe this was an evolution for sure.”
As for the retiring Casemiro, the coach said he hopes the longtime national player and Manchester United man will be remembered for how great he plays his midfield position, though “he has a really good connection with the goal.”
Brazil will play the winner of Norway/Ivory Coast on July 5 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
