Japan reflect as Brazil survive stoppage-time scare

Japan's World Cup is over, but their round of 16 exit to Brazil still stings. The Samurai Blue held the lead after Kaishu Sano's first international goal, only for Vinícius Júnior to equalize and Gabriel Martinelli to win it in stoppage time (1). Brazil now face Norway on Sunday, with Erling Haaland and company waiting in the quarter-final path. For Japan, it is a third consecutive knockout-stage departure while holding a lead, a pattern manager Hajime Moriyasu acknowledged with pride in his side's competitive spirit and a belief the gap to the elite is closing.