2026 FIFA World Cup (Round of 32):
- Brazil 2-1 Japan
Brazil recovered from a goal down to outsmart a spirited Japan 2-1 during the round of 32 at the on-going 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Houston stadium.
Japan took a first half lead through Kaishu Sano in the 29th minute.
The midfielder who features for Bundesliga club Mainz 05 shot from 30 yards past the diving goalkeeper Alisson Becker for the opener well celebrated.
Brazil equalized through Carlos Henrique Casemiro’s header in the 55th minute, off Bruno Guimaraes’s inviting delivery.
This was Casemiro’s 10th overall goal for the South Americans.
Two minutes later, Vinicus Jose Paixao de Oliveira Junior hit the left post as the five time record champions pushed numbers upfront.
Super substitute Gabriel Teodoro Martinelli Silva scored in the 95th minute to snatch a later winner for Brazil.
Casemiro who also watched in disbelief when his header was cleared off the goal-line was named man of the match.
Brazil joins co-hosts Canada, the first country that made it to the round of 16.
Caro Ancelotti’s coached side awaits the winner between Ivory Coast and Norway on 5th July 2026 in East Rutherford.
Line Ups:
Brazil XI: Alisson Becker (G.K), Danilo, Douglas Santos, Marquinhos (Captain), Gabriel Magalhaes, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Lucas Paqueta, Rayan, Matheus Cunha, Vinicius Junior
Japan XI: Zion Suzuki (G.K), Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito,Shogo Taniguchi, Keito Nakamura, Daichi Kamada, Kaishu Sano, Doan, Daizen Maeda, Ayase Ueda, Junya Ito
