The winner was Gabriel Martinelli’s fifth international goal and, according to Fifa, the third he has scored in the United States.
Alan Smith29 June 2026 20:28
Casemiro has been given the official player of the match award.
Which is an interesting choice.
Alan Smith29 June 2026 20:19
Alan Smith29 June 2026 20:16
Casemiro joins list of impressive veterans
Alan Smith29 June 2026 20:10
We saw the best of Brazil after 45 minutes of the worst.
They were ragged in the first half and Casemiro delivered one of the worst halves seen at the tournament. But then he scored the equaliser and Ancelotti’s changes were decisive – their subs were fantastic, their drive once level impeccable.
And, whisper it, despite such obvious flaws there is now the sense of momentum building.
Alan Smith29 June 2026 20:08
No idea why but we’re just being shown some performative nonsense from a Japan fan in the crowd. He handed his phone to someone else to film him before deciding to do a scream while surrounded by Brazil supporters.
Meanwhile, the Japan players are more genuinely upset on the pitch. They are gutted having looked so good for 45 minutes before the pressure eventually told. Talk of winning the World Cup in 2050 may be tempered a little more by the realisation that they are yet to win a knockout tie on the global stage.
Alan Smith29 June 2026 20:06
101’ – Sugawara flings a long throw forward from the right. It’s cleared. And that’s the whistle. What a turnaround from the Selecao, who are into the last-16 and will face Ivory Coast or Norway next
Alan Smith29 June 2026 20:03
99’ – We’re playing on but Japan look finished. Their wait for a World Cup knockout win will go on for four more years.
Alan Smith29 June 2026 20:01
The other Danilo, Santos, replaces the outstanding Bruno.
Ogawa replaces Maeda for Japan.
Alan Smith29 June 2026 19:59
97’ – It’s a simple goal, really, but clinical from the substitute and brilliant from Bruno who chooses to feed Martinelli at an 11 o’clock angle instead of shooting himself. The Arsenal player turns and controls before sending his strike towards the bottom right corner. Suzuki gets a touch but it goes in off the post.
Alan Smith29 June 2026 19:59