Key events<\/p>\n
Time for me to go and find a piece of cheese and a glass of wine. I will raise that glass to Casemiro, who pretty much provided a goal for either side \u2013 the first with his slow old legs, the second with his wise old head.<\/p>\n
Thanks for your company and some high-class correspondence, led by Richard Hirst\u2019s jibe at the traffic cone, which turned into a meme before our eyes. Do join Rob Smyth for the late game, Germany v Paraguay<\/a>, kicking off in an hour\u2019s time. And do read Jonathan Wilson\u2019s match report frm Houston, which gets off to a lovely measured start, much like an Ancelotti masterclass.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n If you emailed in vain, I can only apologise \u2013 the inbox has been inundated. Here\u2019s one from about 45 minutes ago that hasn\u2019t been overtaken by events. \u201cHello from the Brooklyn fan park,\u201d says Matt Jeary. \u201cI am here with my 17-year-old son Isaac in our England shirts.\u201d Proper parenting.<\/p>\n \u201cThe crowd are mainly Brazilian, a smattering of Japan supporters ( we are throwing our support behind them), and then a few German, Colombian and Mexican fans and a lonely-looking Scot.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a very nice fan park, right under Brooklyn Bridge and spitting distance from the ITV studio. The huge drawback is the free tickets are released 24 hours in advance, so lots of disappointed supporters being turned away.\u201d The lonely-looking Scot is a lovely touch.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Out on the pitch, Hajime Moriyasu is giving a speech to his squad. Next time there\u2019s a vacancy at one of the big European clubs, I hope his name is mentioned.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n On ITV, they\u2019ve updated the World Cup<\/a> bracket. Brazil, who are top of the bottom half, will now play Norway or Cote d\u2019Ivoire. That should be a good game too.<\/p>\n This one was so good that, at the end, Roy Keane said \u201cWhat a match!\u201d A collector\u2019s item.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe great thing about old familiar cones,\u201d says Justin Kavanagh, \u201cis that when you have the ball, you know exactly where they\u2019re going to be standing. All you have to do is find them with the cross!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cPleased with how Japan<\/a> played,\u201d says Joseph Trivers. \u201cThey did well, but injuries are having an effect on all teams. What might have been with a healthy Endo, Minamino, Mitoma, Kubo…<\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations,\u201d he adds, \u201cto Brazil<\/a>.\u201d Sportsmanship is not dead.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis has been eerily reminiscent of Japan\u2019s games against Belgium in I\u2019m not sure I did it justice! But thanks.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.12 EDT<\/p>\n Both the Brazilian assists were top-class too. A cross from a centre-back (Big Gabi), and a crisp little ball from a midfielder (Guimaraes).<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n It was an intriguing tussle between two fine managers. Hajime Moriyasu won the first half with his superb organisation, helped by a great strike from the controversial Kaishu Sano. Carlo Ancelotti won the second half, and the game, with two decisions about subs.<\/p>\n The first decision was not to haul Casemiro off at half-time. One old boy rewarded the other with a typically excellent header. The second was to send on Martinelli, not on the left wing, but in left midfield. He popped up in the box in the 96th minute with a cool, calm winner.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>FULL TIME! Brazil 2-1 Japan<\/p>\n After 100 minutes, the whistle blows at last. Brazil<\/a> have come from behind to beat Japan, and it\u2019s been an Ancelotti masterclass.<\/p>\n Brazil players celebrate after the 2-1 win. Photograph: Molly Darlington\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.13 EDT<\/p>\n 90+9 min The assist was from Guimaraes, the best thing he did in a patchy performance. He\u2019s gone off now.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 90+7 min Gabriel Martinelli was between the lines at inside-left. He received a neat pass, took a neat touch and played a neat pass onto the inside of the far post. Simple!<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GOOOALLLL! Brazil 2-1 Japan (Martinelli 90+6)<\/p>\n It\u2019s Little Gabi! With a huge moment.<\/p>\n Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli scores their second goal. Photograph: Annegret Hilse\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a015.01 EDT<\/p>\n 90+3 min This is the third of six added minutes, which may well stretch to eight. Endrick wins a corner and Fabinho\u2019s first act is to send a looping header over the bar.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.56 EDT<\/p>\n 90+1 min Casemiro gets up but only to walk off, clutching his groin. I do hope that\u2019s not the end of his tournament.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 89 min Casemiro is sitting on the ground, getting some attention from the physio. It looks as if Fabinho may come on to replace him.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 88 min Rayan wins another free kick from J Suzuki, who is flirting with a red card here. His blushes are spared by Z Suzuki, who comes out to meet the free kick with a firm punch. Vini Jr has a shot, deflected wide. The shot count is now 16-5.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 87 min In a shock development, Japan<\/a> head upfield. They even surprise themselves but fail to trouble Alisson.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 85 min The free kick is well struck, by Rayan I think, and headed over by a defender. The corner leads to a half-chance for Guimaraes, another for his collection. He goes for an ambitious chip with the outside of his right foot, which goes wide.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 84 min Japan<\/a> go ahead in the other contest, for most yellow cards. They\u2019re now 3-2 up as Rayan bursts down the right and J Suzuki brings him down.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 82 min Yet more possession for Brazil<\/a>, but it\u2019s all too slow.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we say at Arsenal,\u201d advises Peter Mumola, \u201cjust use Big Gabi (Magalhaes) and Little Gabi (Martinelli).\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 80 min The official attendance is 68,000 \u2013 and now, as throughout, it sounds like more than that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 78 min Two more subs for Japan: off go Junya Ito and Kamada (of Palace), on come Machino and Tanaka (of Leeds).<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 75 min Brazil<\/a> are dominating the ball again, which means both sides are playing to their strengths. Martinelli tries a shot, but it loops wide.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 73 min Another fine cross from Gabriel (Magalhaes, not Martinelli) leads to a Brazil<\/a> corner, but nothing comes of it.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 72 min Martinelli\u2019s first contribution is a foul. He seems to be playing in left midfield, with Endrick up front.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hydration break! Brazil 1-1 Japan<\/p>\n We can probably all agree on one thing: the third quarter of the game was won by Brazil<\/a>. In fact, by Carlo Ancelotti.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.33 EDT<\/p>\n 65 min Subs for Japan<\/a>, too, as Moriyasu replaces both his wing-backs, Doan and Nakamura. They\u2019ve been extra full-backs a lot of the time and they may well be knackered. On come Sugawara and Junnosuke Suzuki.<\/p>\n The Suzukis are a bit like the Bellinis of Venice, as described in Brideshead Revisited. \u201cWhich of the Bellinis did you like best?\u201d Laurence Olivier asked Jeremy Irons in the Channel 4 version.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know there were two.\u201d<\/p>\n Olivier, triumphantly: \u201cThere are three!\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 65 min Gabriel Martinelli seems to be coming on \u2013 not for Vini Jr, surely? No, for Cunha, so maybe Vini will move into the middle.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 63 min Now it\u2019s Rayan who makes his presence felt in the inside-right channel. But the next attempt on goal comes at the other end as Ueda drills a shot in from the left, saved by Alisson.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 61 min Half an hour to go, and at this rate we may get another half-hour after that. The goal was Casemiro\u2019s tenth for Brazil<\/a>, in his 90th appearance. And it was yet another feather in Ancelotti\u2019s cap: so many people would have taken Casemiro off.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 59 min Casemiro was lurking on the six-yard line, played onside \u2013 just \u2013 by the nearest defender. For the first time, Japan\u2019s rearguard put a foot wrong.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.22 EDT<\/p>\n 58 min Brazil<\/a> hit the post! Also, save!! It\u2019s Vini Jr, dancing through the area, and flicking with the outside of his right foot. And it\u2019s Suzuki, doing just enough to keep it out.<\/p>\n Vinicius Junior of Brazil hits the post. Photograph: Molly Darlington\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a014.23 EDT<\/p>\n 57 min \u201cYes!\u201d says Zafar Sobhan. \u201cThe traffic cone!\u201d<\/p>\n
2018 and Croatia in 2022,\u201d says K\u00e1ri Tulinius. \u201cJapan started really well, but ran out of steam. I don\u2019t think Brazil<\/a> were necessarily the better team, but as the match wore on, the Japanese lost all ability to create dangerous chances. I don\u2019t think Tanaka had a meaningful touch after he came on as a substitute. Thank you for minute-by-minuting a fascinating match.\u201d<\/p>\n