Brazil beats Japan 2-1 to reach World Cup Round of 16

Brazil advanced to the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in Houston on Monday, sealed by a stoppage-time winner from substitute Gabriel Martinelli.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime after a 29th-minute goal from Japan's Kaishu Sano, Brazil equalized in the 56th minute through captain Casemiro's header. The five-time champions dominated possession and created numerous chances but struggled to find a decisive second goal until the final moments of normal time. In the 95th minute, Martinelli latched onto a pass from Bruno Guimaraes and slotted his shot off the inside of the post to secure the win, a goal recorded as the latest winning strike in normal time during the knockout stages since 1966.

Brazilian coach Carlo Ancelotti credited a tactical shift at halftime for turning the match. He said his team initially struggled against Japan's tight, organized defense but changed their approach to focus on delivering more crosses into the penalty area. The adjustment created the space for Casemiro's equalizer and sustained pressure that ultimately led to the winner.

"We had trouble in the first half as Japan were defending well," Ancelotti said. "In...