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HOUSTON — For so long, Brazil’s dominance at the World Cup seemed inevitable. The five-time champions defined excellence through legendary mononyms — players like Pelé, Ronaldo, Zico, Ronaldinho, Kaká, Neymar and more.
But Brazil last lifted the trophy in 2002 and entered the 2026 World Cup far from the height of their powers, having been knocked out in the quarterfinals in five of the last six tournaments. And when Japan took a 1-0 lead over Brazil in the first half of Monday’s round-of-32 game at NRG Stadium, it seemed like the sport’s preeminent power would tumble further.
Then, at the death, Brazil found a way to stay alive.
Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner propelled Brazil into the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Japan, who were sent home still winless in World Cup knockout games.
“It was a mental test,” said Casemiro, whose header goal equalized for Brazil in the 56th minute. “Japan played in a very deep block, especially after scoring. Finding space against five defenders is hard. The team deserves praise mainly for the mental side, for staying calm. We knew a chance would come."
Defender Gabriel Magalhães attributed Brazil’s mental fortitude to coach Carlo Ancelotti, the famously stoic Italian who was hired 14 months ago to stabilize the historic Brazilian program.
After Brazil’s costly turnover allowed Japan to take the lead in the 29th minute, Ancelotti preached patience over panic.
“The coach always tries to transmit calmness to us,” Magalhães said. “The conversations at halftime were about keeping cool heads. We know it's a long game. And you saw what happened: We kept believing and ended up victorious."
The group stage had demonstrated that Japan was vulnerable to conceding late goals. The Blue Samurai conceded a late equalizer against Sweden and against the Netherlands went down twice in the second half before equalizing both times.
Brazil also deployed a tactical change in the second half, keying in on aerial crosses as a method to exploit Japan’s weaknesses.
Ten minutes into the second half, Casemiro rose up at the back post to meet Magalhães’ cross with a powerful header that went past Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who made four saves on the day but couldn’t withstand the 19 total Brazilian shots.
Two minutes before his equalizer, Casemiro’s diving header was cleared off the goal line. But he would not be denied a second time. The 34-year-old became Brazil’s second-oldest World Cup goalscorer and further ignited an already rollicking crowd that resembled a Brazil home game.
“When you score, you all score together, just like you all suffer together,” Casemiro said.
In the 2022 World Cup, both Japan and Brazil were eliminated on penalties by the same opponent. Croatia sent Japan packing in the round of 16 in Qatar, then knocked out Brazil in the quarterfinals. It was an embarrassment especially for Brazil, which hasn't reached a final since 2002.
Martinelli’s shot trickled into the back post in the 95th minute on Monday, ensuring that extra time and penalties were not necessary. The Arsenal forward, who entered the game as a second-half substitute, sent the Brazilians through and simultaneously sent a stadium into delirium.
True to form, Ancelotti barely even reacted to either of his team’s goals.
After the final whistle, Brazilian players and Japanese players alike dropped to their knees, the triumph of victory for a moment mirroring the anguish of defeat.
Brazil will play either Norway or Ivory Coast in the round of 16. If Monday’s game and the last few years proved anything, it is that winning is not inevitable.
“We can never be content with what we’re doing,” Ancelotti said. “We’re doing a good job. We are performing. But you can never be content because we want to play better. We want to play at the highest level.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brazil beats Japan, passing World Cup's ultimate 'mental test'
Continue reading...
But Brazil last lifted the trophy in 2002 and entered the 2026 World Cup far from the height of their powers, having been knocked out in the quarterfinals in five of the last six tournaments. And when Japan took a 1-0 lead over Brazil in the first half of Monday’s round-of-32 game at NRG Stadium, it seemed like the sport’s preeminent power would tumble further.
Then, at the death, Brazil found a way to stay alive.
Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner propelled Brazil into the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over Japan, who were sent home still winless in World Cup knockout games.
“It was a mental test,” said Casemiro, whose header goal equalized for Brazil in the 56th minute. “Japan played in a very deep block, especially after scoring. Finding space against five defenders is hard. The team deserves praise mainly for the mental side, for staying calm. We knew a chance would come."
Defender Gabriel Magalhães attributed Brazil’s mental fortitude to coach Carlo Ancelotti, the famously stoic Italian who was hired 14 months ago to stabilize the historic Brazilian program.
After Brazil’s costly turnover allowed Japan to take the lead in the 29th minute, Ancelotti preached patience over panic.
“The coach always tries to transmit calmness to us,” Magalhães said. “The conversations at halftime were about keeping cool heads. We know it's a long game. And you saw what happened: We kept believing and ended up victorious."
The group stage had demonstrated that Japan was vulnerable to conceding late goals. The Blue Samurai conceded a late equalizer against Sweden and against the Netherlands went down twice in the second half before equalizing both times.
Brazil also deployed a tactical change in the second half, keying in on aerial crosses as a method to exploit Japan’s weaknesses.
Ten minutes into the second half, Casemiro rose up at the back post to meet Magalhães’ cross with a powerful header that went past Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who made four saves on the day but couldn’t withstand the 19 total Brazilian shots.
Two minutes before his equalizer, Casemiro’s diving header was cleared off the goal line. But he would not be denied a second time. The 34-year-old became Brazil’s second-oldest World Cup goalscorer and further ignited an already rollicking crowd that resembled a Brazil home game.
“When you score, you all score together, just like you all suffer together,” Casemiro said.
In the 2022 World Cup, both Japan and Brazil were eliminated on penalties by the same opponent. Croatia sent Japan packing in the round of 16 in Qatar, then knocked out Brazil in the quarterfinals. It was an embarrassment especially for Brazil, which hasn't reached a final since 2002.
Martinelli’s shot trickled into the back post in the 95th minute on Monday, ensuring that extra time and penalties were not necessary. The Arsenal forward, who entered the game as a second-half substitute, sent the Brazilians through and simultaneously sent a stadium into delirium.
True to form, Ancelotti barely even reacted to either of his team’s goals.
After the final whistle, Brazilian players and Japanese players alike dropped to their knees, the triumph of victory for a moment mirroring the anguish of defeat.
Brazil will play either Norway or Ivory Coast in the round of 16. If Monday’s game and the last few years proved anything, it is that winning is not inevitable.
“We can never be content with what we’re doing,” Ancelotti said. “We’re doing a good job. We are performing. But you can never be content because we want to play better. We want to play at the highest level.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brazil beats Japan, passing World Cup's ultimate 'mental test'
Continue reading...
