Brazil vs Japan FIFA World Cup results: Martinelli’s injury-time winner saves Brazil from blushing against brave Japan in a thrilling match | Football News
Super-sub Gabriel Martinelli became Brazil’s savior, scoring a stunning stoppage-time winner to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory over a tenacious Japanese team. fifa world cup The Round of 32 begins Monday at NRG Stadium.The five-time champions were facing a disastrous exit when Samurai Blue took a stunning lead in the 29th minute. Kaishu Sano took advantage of a misplaced pass in midfield and raced down the pitch, knocking out Alisson Becker with a brilliant right-footed strike from half a circle.Ancelotti’s half-time team speech completely energized the Brazilian players, who performed well throughout the game and dominated possession. The breakthrough finally came in the 52nd minute when Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki bravely blocked Bruno Guimarães’ header before Casemiro’s shot bounced off the defender’s head and the goalkeeper’s face. In the 56th minute, Casemiro made up for his previous mistake, leaping high to receive Gabriel Magalhaes’ cross, and scored a beautiful header into Suzuki’s goal.Brazil smelled blood but the superb Suzuki made four saves to keep out a rampant Vinicius Junior after just two minutes, hitting his shot from the left box against the far post.Due to Japan’s tenacious defense, overtime seemed a certainty, especially in the 91st minute when a limping Casemiro was forced off with a leg injury. However, Martinelli had other plans. In the 96th minute, Bruno Guimarães made a clever pass to unlock the defense, and the Arsenal winger calmly fired a shot, causing chaos in the audience.The dramatic win, which came on the anniversary of Brazil’s first World Cup win in 1958, extended their head-to-head record with Japan to 12 wins in 15 games. It is also heartbreaking for a Japanese team with deep cultural ties, as Brazil has the largest diaspora of Japanese descent at 2.7 million people, as well as a rich football pedigree pioneered by the legendary Zico.While Japan continues its quest for a first knockout victory, Brazil is safely in the quarterfinals in East Rutherford, N.J., awaiting either Ivory Coast or Norway.
Post Comment