Ancelotti keeps faith with Casemiro as Martinelli seals late Brazil win

Brazil came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in Houston and progress to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Kaishu Sano opened the scoring after pouncing on a misplaced pass from Danilo and firing past Alisson, who could not get to the low shot. Carlo Ancelotti kept Casemiro on at halftime rather than making the expected change; the 34-year-old repaid that faith by heading Brazil level 11 minutes after the interval.

Later, Gabriel Martinelli—brought on by Ancelotti—settled the match in the fifth minute of injury time with a finish from a Bruno Guimaraes pass. Individual ratings highlighted mixed performances: Alisson 5, Danilo 4, Marquinhos 7, Gabriel Magalhaes 7, Douglas Santos 7; Bruno Guimaraes 8 and Casemiro 7.

Lucas Paqueta left injured at halftime (6), Vinicius Junior 7, Rayan 6, Matheus Cunha 5. Substitutes Endrick (6) and Martinelli (7) made notable contributions; Fabinho and Danilo Santos were listed N/A. Ancelotti received an 8/10 for his substitutions and for sticking with Casemiro.

brazil, japan, houston, world cup, carlo ancelotti, casemiro, gabriel martinelli, alisson, bruno guimaraes, kaishu sano