Houston – Brazil survived a World Cup scare in the round of 32 when it fought back to beat Japan 2-1 after Gabriel Martinelli squeezed in a shot at the far post deep in stoppage time on Monday.
Brazil, which will next face Norway or Cote d’Ivoire in New Jersey on Sunday, improved after the break with Japan taking an early lead and shackling the attack of the five-time champion for much of the opening period.
Martinelli’s winner in the 95th minute came at the end of a tense match and was the latest winning goal in normal time of a World Cup knockout game since 1966. Brazil players and staff hugged each other on the pitch after the match as the Japanese players watched on in disbelief.
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