Sano gives Japan hope, Brazil snatch it in stoppage time

Brazil broke your heart in stoppage time

Japan 1–2 Brazil. Kaishu Sano scored his first international goal to put you ahead, and for 70 minutes it was real. Then Vinícius Júnior equalized, and Gabriel Martinelli buried a stoppage-time winner (1).

Four key players missed the match through injury: Kaoru Mitoma, Wataru Endo, Takumi Minamino, and Takefusa Kubo. You still nearly did it.

Hajime Moriyasu became the Asian coach with the most World Cup matches managed, and he insisted afterward that the gap to elite nations is closing. But that doesn't soften a third consecutive knockout exit after taking the lead.

Ayase Ueda was visibly distraught. He believed this team could win it all.

Paquetá injured, out for Brazil's next round

Lucas Paquetá picked up a muscle injury during the match and will miss Brazil's round of 16 game (2) (3) (4) (5). Brazil's midfield is thinning at exactly the wrong time.

Fan-reaktioner

The mood online is grim but not alone. Group F became the first group fully eliminated from the 2026 World Cup, Tunisia out in groups, Japan and the Netherlands fallen in the round of 32, and Sweden crushed 0–3 by France. Fans on r/soccer are calling it a collective collapse, and the stats graphic going around captures the clean sweep. Full discussion here.