Casemiro and Martinelli revived Brazil in Japan (2-1)

Brazil faced Japan on Monday in Houston, where a head-goal by Casemiro and a goal by Gabriel Martinelli in the 96th minute gave the victory to Carlo Ancelotti's team (2-1), but Japan put the Canarinha in trouble.

Japan has had the feat of history at hand, after Kaishu Sanoscored in the minute 30 and advanced on the scoreboard, but Brazil, with great suffering, has turned the contest upside down in the second half to prolong its way in the World Cup.

The Canarinha will facethewinner of the match between Norway and Côte d'Ivoire  in the 8th finals, a qualifier to which he arrives relieved, but also with his duties to do after a very poor match in the 16th.

Brazil has controlled the ball, but with little pace, without taking risks, and Japan has been able to demonstrate its organization and tactical preparation.

Danilo's mistake in the ball exit gave Japan the best chance, Sano cut a pass in the middle of the field, advanced to the front of the area and beat Alisson with a big shot with his right leg. It was the 29th minute and Brazil was against the wall.

A reaction was needed and, at rest, Ancelotti decided to go out for Endrick Paqueta. Brazil came out with the aggressiveness that it lacked in the first half, put Japan in its field, and put its physicist in play, with centers that it did not do in the first half.

After Suzuki made a big stop to Bruno Guimaraes and Tomiyasu pulled the ball under the sticks, Casemiro picked up a center of Gabriel on the second stick and put the ball head on the nets to revive Brazil with 1-1. It was the 55th minute and Canarinha took a step forward.

Vinicius made his first big play four minutes later, a stratospheric eslalon that ended with a shot from the outside of the right thathitthe ball on the  pole after being touched by Suzuki.

After the hydration break, Ancelotti has put Martinelli on the lawn and his team has continued to push. As the NRG Stadium was preparing for the extension, in the sixth minute of extra time, Bruno Guimaraes has found a place to give Martinellia pass .