Martinelli speechless after stoppage-time winner sends Brazil through

Gabriel Martinelli was left speechless after his dramatic stoppage-time strike completed a tense comeback for Brazil against Japan in Houston, Texas. The Arsenal forward kept his cool in the dying embers to ensure the Selecao avoided a monumental World Cup upset, and his goal — five minutes into stoppage time — became the latest winning goal in normal time of the knockout stages on record (since 1966), according to Opta.

After the final whistle an emotional Martinelli said: "I don't even have words to describe the joy that is in my heart right now, to see all the Brazilian people happy with the qualification, all my family, I don't even have a way to explain what I'm feeling right now." He added that a recent miss that hit the post had been on his mind: "I was talking to my family.

The other day I hit a ball against the post, I knew I would have another opportunity. Thank God today I managed to score the winning goal." It was a nervy night for the five-time champions.

United States, Houston, Texas

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