Brazil battles back to stun Japan (2-1) with Martinelli's last-gasp goal

While European giants were falling, Brazil had a scare but made it through: 2-1 to Japan in Houston with a dramatic late goal from Gabriel Martinelli just when extra time looked certain. Ancelotti's Canarinha suffer, but they're still standing.

The match. Japan didn't read the script. Around the half-hour mark, Kaishu Sano robbed the ball in midfield and fired home from the edge of the box for the 0-1. The Blue Samurais were dreaming of their first round of 16 appearance in 60 years. But Casemiro headed the equaliser and, just when Zion Suzuki and the post had denied Vinícius a goal, the magic arrived.

Bruno's magical pass. Late in the game, Bruno Guimarães feinted a shot, left half the defence in his wake and picked out Martinelli, who made no mistake for the 2-1. With that, Bruno notches his fourth assist of the tournament (a 21st-century record, matching Ballack, Totti and Cuadrado) and Casemiro equals the record for World Cup matches without a defeat.

What's next. Brazil didn't dazzle, but the big sides also win by grinding it out. Ancelotti has work to do ahead of the round of 16, where Norway await on 5 July in New York. Japan depart with their heads held high after giving the Canarinha a proper fight.

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