The five-time World Cup winners were in danger of falling to a historic low in the tournament after falling to Japan in Houston, having dominated more than any other nation.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were shaky in the first half, but an inspired comeback with a goal from Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli’s last-gasp winner secured a dramatic 2-1 win and a place in the last 16, where they will face either Norway or Ivory Coast.
How big can it get for Brazil?
The margin appeared slim, but Brazil deserved to beat Japan and reach the last 16.
Had Brazil gone out, it would have arguably been their worst performance at the World Cup in terms of progressing in the tournament – if not their most painful performance, taking into account the 2014 semi-final – since 1966. This was the last time they were eliminated in the World Cup group stage: there were only 16 teams in that tournament, so although it is difficult to compare that tournament to this one, not reaching the last 16 here would have been a significant blow.
That doesn’t make the gamble they took in hiring a non-Brazilian, Carlo Ancelotti, seem worthwhile: they traded their traditions for…?
Anyway, they have moved on, and this game provided a reason why they brought in Ancelotti, as a chaotic series of domestic coaches couldn’t understand this team.
The pressure on any Brazilian team or coach is always surprising. But, as always, Ancelotti was the best leader in Houston.
Can this team achieve a complete victory? Before the game, Ancelotti said there were no favorite players: of course, he is right again.
nick miller
How did Martinelli step up?
Gabriel Martinelli has become a go-to man for big moments at Arsenal, and now he has transferred that skill to world football’s biggest stage.
Over the past few years in north London, they have scored important late winners and equalizers against Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and many more. His only Premier League goal against Manchester City last season proved vital as it gave Arsenal a point at a time which could have made their quest for the title even more difficult.
Now in North America, the most interesting aspect of Martinelli’s cameo was his status. From the moment Carlo Ancelotti called up the 25-year-old, he was more focused than Arsenal.
It looked as if, with the Brazilian firing a cross into the box, he might be in a good position to deliver the finishing touch at some point. His staying in the central position in extra time was not a surprise for the Brazilian head coach but was not unwanted either.
Brazil may have been unconvincing in the first half, but their reaction after the break and Martinelli’s positioning proved vital to avoiding the upset.
art de roch
How did Suzuki and Japan keep Vinicius Jr. out?
Japan were excellent on the pitch in the first half, but their primary objective heading into the last-32 tie will be to stop Brazil’s main attacking threat Vinicius Junior.
The 25-year-old had scored four goals in his opening three matches, but Brazil’s number seven was let down by Japan before half-time as his side struggled to break down an incredibly disciplined 5-4-1 formation.
Positioning himself between Ritsu Doan (right wing-back) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (right centre-back) in the opening 45 minutes, Vinicius was unable to reach the ball in dangerous areas – often trying to get on the end of balls threaded in behind rather than receiving the ball wide and progressing forward.
Given that Brazil rarely fielded five players in Japan’s back row to match their numbers, Don and Tomiyasu were able to take turns moving forward and blocking Vinicius whenever he tried to threaten. With space at a premium, this forced the frustrated Vinicius Junior to occasionally drop deeper and more centrally to bring himself into the game – albeit from a much less dangerous position on the pitch.
With the game opening up in the second half following Ancelotti’s tactical change, Vinicius began to enjoy himself – playing a traditional role in the wide channel from the touchline to running into Don.
The highlight was an incredible run that nutmegged Tomiyasu and turned Kaishu Sano in and out, before firing a finish towards the far post that was brilliantly saved by Zion Suzuki – who thumbed the ball onto the post.
Competing in his first World Cup for Japan, Suzuki had a great summer as he returned to play in the country of his birth – born in New Jersey to a Ghanaian father and Japanese mother. He got an assist from Gabriel Martinelli’s effort in the closing stages, but was unable to prevent it as Brazil’s comeback was complete.
Vinicius’ battles with Japan’s defenders and goalkeeper did not subside throughout the game, but the Brazilian’s persistence paid off after a disappointing first half.
mark carey
How did Japan beat Brazil in the first half?
If there was any moment that closed the gap between Brazil and Japan in the first half, it was the one-minute period when Kaishu Sano scored the opener.
While Brazil’s midfield looked vulnerable, with 34-year-old Casemiro taking the time to chase the goalscorer, it was Japan’s bravery and fitness that earned them their moment. Casemiro’s early booking for a foul just outside the Brazil box may have played a part in his reluctance to bring Sano down, but it is not the first time he has failed to track down the attacking opposition midfielder in recent years.
Most of the attention will go to Sano intercepting a loose pass from Danilo and slotting past Casemiro as if he wasn’t even there (below), but the net that Japan sprung moments earlier deserves credit.
Just a minute before Sano scored, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson was looking for passing options on the ball. Not only Japan’s front three, but also their back four players picked the right moment to apply pressure, forcing Brazil to play forward for long periods.
Even though Japan did not keep the ball after Brazil went ahead, the chaos created from that moment made the game more open than before, and Sano was perfectly placed to take advantage.
Sano’s running power against Casemiro should also come as no surprise, as he was third in the Bundesliga last season with a distance of 401.1 km.
From Brazil’s perspective, age always looked like it might be a hindrance to them this summer. Gabriel Magalhaes was their youngest starting defender against Japan (28), along with Danilo (34), Marquinhos (32) and Douglas Santos (32).
But what Casemiro lacked in legs, he certainly made up for with his head. The Manchester United midfielder scored more headers than any Premier League player last season (eight – Virgil van Dijk was second with five) and was perfectly positioned at the back post for Gabriel’s cross. If the injury that forced him out at the end of this match proves serious, Brazil could miss him in the last 16.
art de roch
What did Ancelotti do to change this?
There was a lot of demand for Andric to be included in this Brazil team since the beginning of the World Cup, but including him at half-time in place of injured Lucas Paqueta seemed like a huge gamble for Carlo Ancelotti.
Brazil went forward in midfield several times in the opening 45 minutes, as Art de Roche noted above, so it could have been troublesome for a midfielder to introduce forward and effectively switch to a 4–2–4 system. Instead, it proved to be an inspired move.
Brazil’s two wingers, Vinicius Junior and Ryan, hugged the touchline, and even though their tendency with the ball was to drive infield, this prolonged the game, made Japan’s relentless pressing less effective and created more crossing opportunities.
They came close to scoring in one of the great goalmouth showdowns of the World Cup, then had the chance to equalize when one of their crosses, from a slightly unlikely source from Gabriel Magalhaes, was headed home by Casemiro.
With electric runs and skill from Vinicius, Brazil got back into the game.
nick miller
Casemiro heads for Brazil’s equalizer (Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Who will Brazil play next?
Brazil will face Norway or Ivory Coast in the last 16 on July 5 (4 p.m. ET) in New York, New Jersey.
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