Martinelli's stoppage-time winner spares Brazil a Japan shock

Brazil survived a serious scare to beat Japan 2-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston, a stoppage-time strike from Gabriel Martinelli rescuing the five-time champions after they had trailed to a stunning Japanese opener. For long spells it looked as though the Samurai Blue might author one of the great upsets, but Brazil's quality and persistence eventually told, even if the manner of the win — late and laboured — did little to silence the questions about a side still searching for its best form. Japan, for all their endeavour, remain without a win over Brazil at a World Cup, beaten 2-1 in the cruellest fashion.

Match summary: Sano stuns, Casemiro levels, Martinelli wins it late

Japan stunned the favourites on 29 minutes when Kaishu Sano fired them into a deserved lead, rewarding a bright, fearless start. Brazil regrouped at the interval and drew level almost immediately after the restart, Casemiro bundling home around the 46th minute to settle nerves. The contest then swung end to end, Vinicius Junior prominent as Brazil pressed for a winner that would not come — until deep into stoppage time, when Gabriel Martinelli struck to break Japanese hearts. It was a finish that flattered Brazil on the balance of play, but one that underlined their refusal to lose, the champions digging out a result their performance scarcely deserved.

A work in progress for the favourites

For all the relief at full time, this was another evening that framed Brazil as a team still finding itself. The five-time champions carry undeniable individual talent — Vinicius, Martinelli and Casemiro all influential — yet the cohesion expected of a tournament favourite remains a work in progress, and they will need to be far sharper as the knockouts intensify. The late winner papered over a performance short of their standards, and few would yet install them as outright favourites on this evidence. Japan, by contrast, will rue what might have been: organised, brave and a goal to the good, they could not hold on, extending a painful World Cup history against Brazil. Their campaign ends with pride intact and a sense of how close they came to a famous scalp — a defeat that will sting precisely because the upset was so nearly theirs.

Brazil march on to the Round of 16

Victory carries Brazil into the Round of 16, where they will meet the winner of Ivory Coast against Norway on July 5 at MetLife Stadium. The champions will know they must improve sharply if they are to go deep, but they remain in the tournament — and at this stage, survival is what matters most. Japan exit the World Cup at the Round of 32, their adventure over but their reputation enhanced by a display that took the favourites to the very last seconds.