Brazil 2-1 Japan, Martinelli nets 96th-minute winner; Zion Suzuki stood out

sportsJun 29, 202623536

Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to score a 96th-minute winner as Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in the round-of-32 at the 2026 World Cup, sending Brazil into the Round of 16. Gabriel Magalhaes provided the assist for Brazil's opening goal as Brazil came from behind after Japan took an early, surprise lead. Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, 24 and born in Newark, made several key saves, including one described as a world-class stop that denied Vinícius Júnior. Japan bowed to their fans after the defeat and remain without a knockout-stage World Cup win. The match finished 2-1 and will advance Brazil to the tournament's last 16 while ending Japan's run in this World Cup.

Gear Fighter Gespenst

@callgespenst.bsky.social

"brazil vs japan is over custody of hatsune miku" incorrect, I don't know what Japan is playing for, but Brazil is playing for the rights to Saint Seiya.

1582h ago

now.arsenal

@nowarsenal.bsky.social

Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner and Gabriel Magalhaes provided the assist for the first goal to help Brazil come from behind to beat Japan in the round-of-32 at the 2026 World Cup. The Arsenal boys have done it again. 🇧🇷

863h ago

Dave C1

and what a GREAT actor he is unusual seeing him feign another injury !

Men in Blazers Media Network

@meninblazers.bsky.social

NEWARK BORN ZION SUZUKI SHINES FOR JAPAN 🇯🇵 Even in defeat, 24-year-old Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki put on a show vs. Brazil, making some crucial saves including one world-class stop which prevented Vini Jr. from scoring one of the goals of the tournament.

621h ago

Men in Blazers Media Network16

The Parma goalkeeper showed his true ability just a short trip up the turnpike from where he was born 🧤 Born in Newark to a Japanese mother and a Ghanaian father, Suzuki grew up in Japan where he represented Japan at youth level, and made his professional debut in the Japanese League at 16 🔥

sam-mayday-malone.bsky.social1

He overcame being born in newark very impressive

Quoting this

Dan Orlowitz15

I wish this wasn’t the only way to get Americans to pay attention to Japanese players, but I guess we should be so lucky to finally have a great keeper *and* depth at the position for the next couple cycles.

Josephine Riesman

@josie.zone

As someone who doesn't follow sports, it's very funny to me to see what sides my social media friends take in big World Cup matches. Like, I guess in the Soccer Extended Universe, Brazil is a brutal imperial power and Japan is a smol bean that just deserves a shot at the big time

421h ago

Sarah Archer3

Japan is also apparently in the lead regarding cool player names

Jared Cram1

Yes, that is accurate. Brazil has won five times, more than any other nation. No team from the entire Asian confederation has even made it to the final game, much less won.

THIS MACHINE LIFTS WEIGHTS1

It's funny how stuff like that works out in sports In Men's rugby the great superpower of America would be an underdog to almost all opponents

andré

@andre-carlisle.bsky.social

watching a world cup game in which zion suzuki is comfortably outplaying alisson, what a time

364h ago

Mari Murphy

@marimurphy.bsky.social

The year is 2087 and Gabriel Martinelli is faking another head injury in his nursing home

273h ago

𝔸𝕟𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕨 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℍ𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕜𝕝𝕖𝕪 𝔾𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕣

@fromdialsquare.bsky.social

Brilliant for Martinelli!! So happy for him and big Gabi of course #GoonerFamily

223h ago

TSN

@tsnofficial.bsky.social

BRAZIL ARE OFF TO THE ROUND OF 16! 🇧🇷 A stoppage time winner from Gabriel Martinelli completes the comeback and sends Brazil into the next round! #FIFAWorldCup

133h ago

Lux! ✨️

@luxlucifer.bsky.social

based on what i'm seeing on my timeline, because brazil beat japan in the world cup, brazilian miku gets to get regular miku pregnant

12Just now

Sebastian Bae

@sebastianbae.bsky.social

Japan ultimately lost 2-1 to Brazil but man -- it was nail biting to the end.

141h ago

First Touch

@firsttouch.bsky.social

This is the moment the Japan team bowed to their fans after their World Cup elimination. Japan gave everything they had, taking Brazil to the very last kick. Their search goes on for a first win in a World Cup knockout game.

112h ago

ESPN FC

@espnfc-m.bsky.social

Zion Suzuki couldn't believe that stayed out for Brazil 😟

44h ago

Liliana Segura

@lilianasegura.bsky.social

Japan v Brazil was thrilling too but of course the inevitable course correction came at the last minute, heartbreaking for Japan. (Yes, I am getting a lot of work done today, why do you ask?)

8Just now