<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/fifa-world-cup-2026-brazil-coach-carlo-ancelotti-hails-neymar-and-vinicius-after-scotland-win-23636860" rel="nofollow">Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti</a> said he knew his &ldquo;suffering&rdquo; side would eventually score and praised their patience in reaching the World Cup last 16 with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Japan on Monday.
After veteran midfielder Casemiro&rsquo;s equalising header in the 56th minute, substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced in the 95th minute in Houston for the five-time champions and sent dark horses Japan home. It was the latest winning goal in normal time of the knockout stages of the World Cup on record (since 1966).
<img title="Brazil&rsquo;s Gabriel Martinelli celebrates his 95th minute winner against Japan. Pic/AFP" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/jul/martinell_e.jpg" alt="Brazil&rsquo;s Gabriel Martinelli celebrates his 95th minute winner against Japan. Pic/AFP" width="1280" height="720" />Brazil&rsquo;s Gabriel Martinelli celebrates his 95th minute winner against Japan. Pic/AFP
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/fifa-world-cup-2026-watch-japanese-fans-clean-up-stands-after-netherlands-clash-win-hearts-online-23635232" rel="nofollow">Japan</a> led 1-0 at the break after some sloppy Brazil play but the South Americans dominated the second half with goals from veteran Casemiro and Arsenal winger Martinelli at the death.
&ldquo;No one is perfect but you can handle how to get out of mistakes, how to think, look ahead. The team did very well in the second half. No one thought that this team wouldn&rsquo;t score,&rdquo; the acclaimed Italian Ancelotti, at his first World Cup as a coach, said.
&ldquo;At half-time I told them not to lose patience because we were going to score sooner or later,&rdquo; he added.
The 34-year-old attacker<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/fifa-world-cup-2026-emotional-neymar-posts-on-social-media-after-brazil-return-23636832" rel="nofollow"> Neymar</a>, Brazil&rsquo;s record scorer, remained on the bench even as they went in search of a winner. &ldquo;I spoke to Neymar and told him that if we hadn&rsquo;t equalised by the 60th minute, I would bring him on. We were considering sending Neymar on during extra time because he is fit and ready. However, since we scored, Neymar didn&rsquo;t play, and the situation was clear and understood by him,&rdquo; &nbsp;Ancelotti said.&nbsp;
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FIFA World Cup 2026: Carlo Ancelotti reveals he was certain team would respond strongly after trailing in first half during gritty 2-1 win over Japan

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Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti reveals he was certain team would respond strongly after trailing in first half during gritty 2-1 win over Japan

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Home / Sports / Football / Article / FIFA World Cup 2026: Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti speaks about clash against Japan