Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup 2026 Round of 32 tie at NRG Stadium, booking their place in the last 16. Sano stunned the favourites on 29 minutes, but Casemiro levelled on 56 and substitute Gabriel Martinelli snatched a 95th-minute winner. Here are our Brazil player ratings. For more, see our World Cup 2026 hub.
Brazil player ratings vs Japan
- GK — Alisson: 6.5/10 — Beaten by Sano’s strike but otherwise assured; little he could do about the goal.
- RB — Danilo: 6.5/10 — Steady at right-back and grew into the game after the break.
- CB — Marquinhos: 7/10 — Marshalled the back line and steadied Brazil after falling behind.
- CB — Gabriel Magalhaes: 7.5/10 — Commanding in defence and turned provider with an assist.
- LB — Douglas Santos: 6.5/10 — Solid down the left and a willing outlet going forward.
- CM — Casemiro: 8.5/10 — Man of the match: levelled on 56 and dominated midfield as Brazil took control.
- CM — Bruno Guimaraes: 7.5/10 — The engine of the comeback, capping a driving display with an assist.
- CM — Lucas Paqueta: 6/10 — Quiet in a flat first half and withdrawn at the interval.
- RW — Rayan: 6.5/10 — Lively and direct on the right — a promising shift from the teenager.
- ST — Matheus Cunha: 6.5/10 — Worked the channels before making way on 66.
- LW — Vinicius Junior: 7/10 — A constant threat on the left without finding the goal himself.
Substitutes
- Endrick: 7/10 — Changed the game’s energy after coming on at half-time.
- Gabriel Martinelli: 8/10 — Super-sub: snatched a dramatic 95th-minute winner to send Brazil through.
Brazil vs Japan: how it unfolded
Japan stunned Brazil when Sano fired the underdogs in front on 29 minutes, and they held that lead at the break. Brazil responded after half-time: Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Junior probed before Casemiro drove home the equaliser on 56. With Bruno Guimaraes and Gabriel Magalhaes pulling the strings, the pressure finally told deep into stoppage time, substitute Gabriel Martinelli poking home a 95th-minute winner to spare Brazil’s blushes and send them into the Round of 16.
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Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32. Sano scored for Japan, with Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli replying for Brazil.
Casemiro equalised on 56 minutes and substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored a 95th-minute winner.
Casemiro was the standout, scoring the equaliser and controlling midfield, with Gabriel Martinelli the matchwinner off the bench.
Yes. The 2-1 win over Japan put Brazil into the Round of 16.