Following a dramatic 2-1 victory against Japan, Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed that he never lost belief in his team’s ability to find the net. During their 2026 World Cup round of 32 match in Houston, substitute Gabriel Martinelli secured the win in the 95th minute, marking the latest recorded winning goal in regulation time since 1966.
Japan held a 1-0 advantage at halftime following uninspired play from Brazil. However, the five-time champions controlled the second half, with Casemiro equalizing via a header before Martinelli’s final strike. Ancelotti emphasized that he instructed his squad to remain composed during the intermission, insisting that a goal would arrive. He described the process of winning as a necessary hardship, noting that his players managed their errors and kept their focus.
Regarding the status of Neymar, who remained on the bench throughout the match, Ancelotti explained that a plan was in place to deploy the forward if the score remained level past the 60-minute mark. Since Brazil secured the win in regulation, the manager opted against using the veteran attacker. Ancelotti also defended Casemiro against recent criticism, highlighting the midfielder’s leadership and deep understanding of his role, which mirrors his recent scoring form in the Premier League.
