Martinelli's 95th-Minute Strike Sends Brazil Past
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- Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic 95th-minute winner as Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1.
- The result sends Brazil into the World Cup round of 16, where they will face the winner of the Norway vs Ivory Coast group.
Why it matters: Brazil avoided a costly dropped result in the group stage, converting a deficit into three points in stoppage time to clinch progression rather than rely on other outcomes. Their knockout-round opponent — either group winner Norway or Ivory Coast — sets up a very different tactical test, but the immediate gain is a confirmed place in the last 16.
