Sano scores, Martinelli breaks Japan hearts at the death

Heartbreak in Houston: Brazil 2–1 Japan

Your World Cup is over. Brazil 2–1 Japan at NRG Stadium on Monday, and it was the cruellest way to go out. Kaishu Sano scored his first international goal to put Japan ahead. Casemiro equalised in the second half (4). Gabriel Martinelli stabbed in the winner deep into stoppage time, the 96th minute (2). Japan led in a knockout match, again, and went home, again.

Itakura: 'I didn't do enough'

Captain Ko Itakura was an unused substitute in Houston and did not hide from it afterwards. The Ajax defender returned to his club with what Dutch outlet VI called a "rotgevoel" (3). He said plainly that he had not done enough to help Japan avoid elimination (3). No deflection, no excuse.

Real Madrid watching a Japan star

The tournament exit has not dimmed the spotlight on one Japan player. Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that a "Japanese star" who shone at this World Cup is now in Real Madrid's orbit for the 2026/27 season (6). No name yet, but the link is concrete.

Fan reactions

The knives are not out. Japan fans on Reddit are hurting but not blaming. The prevailing mood is grief, not anger, with many pointing to Sano's goal as a moment of belief that made the ending harder to take. One United supporter posted Casemiro's stats from the match with the caption "We're so gonna miss him next season" (https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/comments/1ujgtsp/casemiro_man_of_the_match_against_japan).