World Cup Round of 32
Brazil 2 - 1 FT Japan
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
K. Sano 12'
14' Casemiro
K. Sano 29'
D. Kamada 45'
HT
46' ↓ Lucas Paqueta ↑Endrick
48' Danilo
56' Casemiro (Gabriel)
66' ↓ M. Cunha ↑G. Martinelli
↓ R. Doan ↑Y. Sugawara 66'
↓ K. Nakamura ↑J. Suzuki 66'
↓ D. Kamada ↑A. Tanaka 78'
↓ J. Ito ↑S. Machino 78'
J. Suzuki 84'
90'+2 ↓ Casemiro ↑Fabinho
90'+5 G. Martinelli (Bruno Guimaraes)
↓ D. Maeda ↑K. Ogawa 90'+7
90'+8 ↓ Bruno Guimaraes ↑Danilo Santos
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Brazil
Goalkeepers
Alisson 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Danilo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marquinhos 
MAGNET
114
Activity
114
Activity
111
Passes
3
Duels
Gabriel Magalhães
MAGNET
139
Activity
139
Activity
135
Passes
4
Duels
Douglas Santos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Bruno Guimarães 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
1
Assists
45%
Pass Acc
Casemiro 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Lucas Paquetá
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Forwards
Rayan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matheus Cunha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Vinícius Júnior
MAGNET
50
Activity
50
Activity
39
Passes
11
Duels
BENCH
Ederson 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Weverton
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alex Sandro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bremer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Léo Pereira
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Roger Ibañez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Éderson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fabinho
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
6
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Danilo Santos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Endrick
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Martinelli 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.5
Rating
Luiz Henrique
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Igor Thiago
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Neymar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Japan
Goalkeepers
Zion Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Takehiro Tomiyasu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shogo Taniguchi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hiroki Itō
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Ritsu Doan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Kaishu Sano
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Daichi Kamada
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Keito Nakamura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Forwards
Junya Ito
LATE SHIFT
12
Late Mins
12
Late Mins
78
Total Mins
78
Entry
Daizen Maeda 
NPC
97
Minutes
97
Minutes
13%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
Ayase Ueda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
99
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Keisuke Osako
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Tomoki Hayakawa
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Yukinari Sugawara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
33
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Junnosuke Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
33
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ko Itakura
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuto Nagatomo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tsuyoshi Watanabe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayumu Seko
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ao Tanaka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yuito Suzuki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Takefusa Kubo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Shuto Machino
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Koki Ogawa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
2
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kento Shiogai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Keisuke Goto
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/14/2025 | Japan | 3 - 2 | Brazil | Friendlies | Ajinomoto Stadium |
| 06/06/2022 | Japan | 0 - 1 | Brazil | Friendlies | Japan National Stadium |
| 11/10/2017 | Japan | 1 - 3 | Brazil | Friendlies | Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Villeneuve d'Ascq) |
| 06/15/2013 | Brazil | 3 - 0 | Japan | Confederations Cup | Estádio Nacional de Brasília (Brasília, Distrito Federal) |
Brazil Win
Japan Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Heartbreak in Houston: Martinelli's Last-Gasp Strike Rescues Brazil
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 74/100. An unrelenting second-half siege saved Brazil from a shock exit, turning sheer desperation into late euphoria at NRG Stadium.
The Ambush
Japan arrived in Texas with a clear plan, absorbing early pressure before striking a lethal blow. Despite Brazil immediately asserting control over possession, the opening half hour felt remarkably tense. The Stakes were immense for this Round of 32 clash, and you could feel anxiety creeping into the South American ranks. Against the run of play, K. Sano delivered a moment of magic in the 29th minute, capitalising on a rare transition to put the underdogs ahead. Our take? The Japanese defensive block was a masterclass in frustration. Vinícius Júnior constantly tried to pick the lock, but the gaps simply weren't there. The interval arrived with a heavy sense of impending disaster for the tournament favourites.
Turning the Tide
The second half required a completely different level of Intensity from Brazil, and they duly delivered a ruthless attacking siege. Pushing higher up the pitch, they suffocated the midfield entirely. The breakthrough arrived in the 56th minute when Casemiro met a precise delivery from Gabriel, thumping home a deserved equaliser. From that moment on, it was one-way traffic. A staggering 19 shots rained down on the goal, turning the penalty area into a shooting gallery. Yet, a high Balance rating tells the story of Japan's desperate, heroic resistance. Anchored by immense pressure, Marquinhos pushed the defensive line all the way to the halfway mark, squeezing the pitch and denying the Asian side any breathing room.
The Final Blow
With extra time looming, the tension became unbearable. Managerial decisions often define knockout football, and the introduction of G. Martinelli proved to be the ultimate masterstroke. As the clock hit 90 minutes, the substitute latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Bruno Guimaraes to shatter Japanese hearts. The 2-1 victory sends Brazil marching into the Round of 16, but this was far from a straightforward procession. Surviving such a severe scare will either serve as a vital wake-up call or expose structural vulnerabilities for their next opponents to exploit. For Japan, they leave with immense pride, having pushed a titan to the absolute brink in a truly memorable knockout spectacle.
Key Questions
How dramatic was the late winner by Casemiro?
Casemiro scored the 56th-minute equaliser, but the true late drama belonged to G. Martinelli, who struck the 90th-minute winner to seal the victory.
How did Brazil complete the comeback from behind?
By dominating possession and attempting 19 shots, Brazil relentlessly pressured Japan. Casemiro levelled the score before Martinelli netted the decisive stoppage-time goal.
How did substitute Casemiro change the game?
Casemiro started the match and anchored the midfield, but it was actually substitute G. Martinelli who changed the game, scoring the match-winning goal late on.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Win or Go Home: Brazil Face Japan in Knockout Clash
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 64/100. In a Round of 32 showdown where survival is the only metric that matters, Brazil's heavy artillery must break down a stubborn Japanese side.
The Setup
The World Cup knockout stages leave no room for error. A high Stars rating guarantees fireworks on June 29, 2026, as Brazil bring their unbeaten group stage momentum into this do-or-die tie. Both nations boast an attacking Form that points to goals, combining for an impressive 5.0 goals per game so far. While the South Americans enter as the statistical favourites, Japan have proven incredibly resilient, mirroring their opponents' undefeated streak to set up a clash with a compelling Balance. The Stakes are absolute: survive and advance, or pack your bags.
Key Battle
The spotlight falls heavily on Vinícius Júnior and Ayase Ueda. Brazil's talisman has been unplayable on the flank, directly terrorising defences, while Ueda serves as the focal point for Japan's swift counter-attacks. If Vinícius finds space early, Japan's backline will crack. But if Ueda can ruthlessly finish Japan's transitions, the underdogs have a genuine path to a shock result.
Our Prediction
Expect a tense opening before the South American giants click into gear. Japan will threaten on the break, but Brazil's sheer depth of quality will ultimately overwhelm them in the second half. A 3-1 victory for Brazil, sealing their spot in the next round.