Brazil take on dark horses Japan in the World Cup round of 32 at NRG Stadium in Houston today. Brazil topped their group to reach the knockout stage, while Japan finished as runners-up in Group F. The winners of today’s game will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in New York for a place in the quarter-finals.

Substitute Gabriel Martinelli struck at the death to earn Brazil a hard-fought passage to the World Cup round of 16 as Japan fell at the first knockout round in dramatic fashion once more. Samurai Blue,

Japan's streak of losses in World Cup knockout round is at five after Brazil rallies for 2-1 win in final minutes in Houston.

Japan took a lead near the half-hour mark through Kaishu Sano as Casemiro and Gabriel Magalhaes switched off in their own half.

The five-time World Cup winners were in danger of slumping to a historic low in the tournament they have dominated more than any other nation after going behind to Japan in Houston. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were insipid in the first half but an inspired comeback — capped by goals from Casemiro and a last-gasp winner from Gabriel Martinelli — sealed a dramatic 2-1 victory and a place in the last 16,

Thiago Alcântara, Peter Crouch, Kasper Schmeichel and Alex Scott react to Brazil's 2-1 late win over Japan, thanks to Gabriel Martinelli's CLUTCH goal in stoppage time.

"We knew a chance would come," Brazil midfielder Casemiro said.

U.S. tariff pressure is pushing Europe and Brazil closer—opening new global doors for everything from aircraft parts to Brazil's cachaça, the base of the caipirinha.

Follow live updates and coverage on the 2026 World Cup as three knockout matches are set for today, starting with Brazil vs. Japan.