Once again, Brazil displayed a lackluster performance in parts of the match, yet they emerged victorious, showcasing the effectiveness of Carlo Ancelotti’s strategy. The approach, reminiscent of his tenure at Real Madrid, hinges on remaining competitive until the opposition falters or a moment of brilliance from a key player shifts the tide.
Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Brazil faced the grim prospect of an early exit from the World Cup. With five players over the age of 30 in the starting lineup and a decidedly defensive formation, they struggled to match Japan’s pace and creativity. However, a half-time substitution involving Endrick and a tactical shift to a 4-2-3-1 formation revitalized their attack. Brazil began to flood the box with crosses, leading to Casemiro’s equalizer and Gabriel Martinelli’s dramatic winner in injury time.
Japan’s quest for their first-ever knockout win in World Cup history continues to haunt them, as acknowledged by manager Hajime Moriyasu. His earlier insistence on aiming for victory at the tournament was seen as a strategy to combat this mental barrier. While Japan fell short, their performance in this World Cup might be their best to date.
Facing Brazil, a team synonymous with World Cup success, Japan knew the stakes were high. Brazil has always reached the knockout stage and has only twice been outside the top eight in tournament history. To lose to such a formidable opponent is no small setback.
Describing Japan’s second-half performance as a collapse would be misleading. They simply faced a Brazil squad that had adapted tactically. Despite suffering their fifth first-round knockout exit and winning only a single match in this tournament, Japan proved to be a talented side, even with injuries to key players. Losing a hard-fought match against a high-caliber team is nothing to be ashamed of.
Japan’s game plan reflected their earlier matches against Tunisia and Sweden, opting for a deep defensive strategy while pressing sporadically. Their compact formation stifled Brazil’s star Vinícius Júnior, thanks to the diligent efforts of right-sided center-back Takehiro Tomiyasu and wing-back Ritsu Doan.
In the first half, Japan’s strategy paid dividends. Brazil dominated possession but managed only a weak effort from Matheus Cunha, saved by Zion Suzuki. Japan, gaining confidence, began to threaten, culminating in a goal when Kaishu Sano intercepted a pass and scored from outside the box.
After halftime adjustments, Ancelotti’s tactical changes transformed Brazil’s fortunes. The switch to a more attacking style led to a flurry of opportunities, including a brilliant header from Bruno Guimarães. Casemiro also came close with a shot cleared off the line. The equalizer finally came in the 56th minute when Casemiro expertly converted a chip from Gabriel Magalhães.
Moriyasu attempted to stem the tide by replacing his wing-backs, but Japan’s earlier threat evaporated. With momentum firmly in Brazil’s favor, it was only a matter of time before they found the winner. The decisive moment arrived in the 95th minute when Ao Tanaka lost possession near the box, allowing Guimarães to set up Martinelli for the goal.
With this victory, Brazil progresses to face the winner of the upcoming match between Côte d’Ivoire and Norway. Despite the shaky first-half performance revealing weaknesses, particularly in midfield, their second-half resurgence showcased undeniable attacking prowess. There’s a lingering concern about their tendency to flirt with danger, but Ancelotti’s past successes with Madrid might suggest that a sixth World Cup title is still within reach.
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