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Substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced deep in injury time as Brazil beat a stubborn Japan 2-1 on Monday to roll into the World Cup last 16.
Arsenal winger Martinelli struck on 95 minutes in Houston to break Japanese hearts in the most dramatic fashion.
The five-time champions will face either the Ivory Coast or Norway in New Jersey on Sunday after edging a captivating knockout encounter, Super Sport reports.
Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano scored a classy solo goal after 29 minutes following a Brazil mistake to stun the huge numbers of fans decked out in yellow.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men hit back 11 minutes after halftime with a header from veteran Casemiro as Brazil dominated the second period.
Then up popped Martinelli right at the death, leaving some of their opponents in tears.
“I can’t find the words to describe the joy in my heart. Seeing all those fans on their feet, my parents, my friends… I can’t explain it,” said the match-winner Martinelli.
With the Brazil fans’ drums providing a constant rhythmic bac
Brazil are attempting to win football’s biggest prize for the first time in 24 years.
The midfielder Casemiro praised his side for keeping their cool and plugging away until the end.
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“I knew the opportunity would come, so the team is to be congratulated mainly for this calmness within the game,” said the 34-year-old.
“When you score, all the team scores, and when you suffer, all the team suffers,” added Casemiro, who left Manchester United this summer.
He said it had been “a whirlwind of emotions on the field”.
With the Brazil fans’ drums providing a constant rhythmic backdrop, Ancelotti’s side were on top early on in front of a crowd of 68 777.
Images of Neymar on the bench popped up on the big screens, the noise from the Brazil fans going up another notch.
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