Japan's World Cup ends as Martinelli wins it late for Brazil

The morning after

Japan are out. Brazil 2–1 in the round of 16, and it hurts more than the scoreline suggests. Kaishu Sano scored his first international goal to put your team ahead, and for a long stretch the Samurai Blue looked like the better side. Vinícius Júnior equalised in the second half. Gabriel Martinelli won it in stoppage time. A third consecutive round of 16 exit, and every one of them after taking the lead.

Ueda couldn't hold it together

Ayase Ueda was in tears after the final whistle. The Feyenoord striker believed this group had a genuine shot at winning the World Cup. He's not wrong to feel that way, Japan took seven points from a group with the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia. No one saw that coming. The knockout round felt like a real chance.

Moriyasu: the gap is closing

Hajime Moriyasu didn't hide the disappointment, but he made his point clearly. The gap to elite nations like Brazil is shrinking. He became the Asian coach with the most World Cup matches managed during this run. His post-match message was pride in the fight, mixed with the sting of another knockout lead slipping away.

Fan reactions

The mood online is a familiar blend of pride and pain. Japan were the last Asian team standing, and the only ones to push a South American giant to the wire. Several threads noted that all six UEFA sides in action during the round of 32 were eliminated, the tournament has tilted away from Europe early. See the full breakdown.