Gabriel Martinelli scored an important goal in the extra time to help Brazil win the game. They beat Japan 2-1 in a tense match at Houston's NRG Stadium.
How the Match Unfolded:
Japan started the game well and they scored a goal before the half hour mark. Kaishu Sano scored the goal after Brazil made a mistake with a pass. Japan was winning at time and Brazil was getting frustrated because they could not score.
The second half was different. Brazil played with energy and they scored a goal when Casemiro headed the ball into the net from a cross by Gabriel. Then Vinicius Jr, almost scored a goal but the Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made a fantastic save.
The game was going to time but then Gabriel Martinelli scored the winning goal. Bruno Guimaraes passed the ball to him after Japan made a mistake in their area. Martinelli scored the goal and Brazil won the game.
A Cruel Ending for Japan:
This is a sad loss for Japan. They lost the game at the stage of the tournament for the fifth time. The Japan coach and players will think about what they did wrong and how they can improve. They played a game for 93 minutes but it was not enough to win.
Whats Next:
Brazil will play the winner of the game between Cote d'Ivoire and Norway in the round on July 5. The Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said that his team showed a lot of heart and they were clear about what they wanted to do.. He knows they need to improve if they want to win the tournament.
You can watch the highlights of the match on:
This is a moment for Brazil fans and a very sad moment for Japan fans. Football is a game that can be very exciting and sad, at the time. Brazil and Japan fans will remember this game for a time.