New Delhi: Brazil edged past Japan 2-1 in a high-voltage Round of 32 clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a stoppage-time goal late Monday. Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli calmly finished the ball into the net in the 95th minute, scoring the latest winning goal in normal time of the knockout stages of the World Cup.
A sloppy defensive display from Japan at the end of the match cost them the match after Brazil snatched the ball right outside the penalty box before a short pass to Martinelli, who was unmarked. Under pressure, Martinelli confidently received the ball with his left foot and finessed it in the bottom far post with precision finishing.
Martinelli came onto the pitch in the 65th minute, replacing forward Matheus Cunha. With just 25 minutes on the pitch, he acted as the perfect super-sub in the knockout stage of this World Cup. Martinelli injected pace into Brazil’s attack, constantly stretching Japan’s defenders with his movement and running.
Martinelli unlocked Japan’s compact and rigid defence. The 25-year-old forward looked aggressive while pressing off the ball.
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A World Cup of late goals
In the 2026 FIFA World Cup, matches across the US, Mexico, and Canada experienced unprecedented scoring in the dying minutes.
Almost 30 per cent of all goals came during the final 15 minutes plus stoppage time (from the 76th minute onwards). This comfortably eclipsed the percentages seen in the World Cups in Qatar 2022 and Russia 2018. Moreover, these weren’t just consolation goals—more than half of these late strikes were tying or go-ahead goals that drastically altered tournament trajectories.
Here are a few teams which have been clinical in the final minutes of the game in this year’s tournament.
Germany: Known for their relentless pressure, the Germans utilised heavy second-half stoppage times to salvage critical tournament points, most notably securing an emotional injury-time 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast to secure their ticket to the knockouts.
Canada: The co-hosts etched their names into the history books during the Round of 32. Stephen Eustáquio scored a dramatic, second-half stoppage-time winner against South Africa, pushing Canada to its first knockout stage win in the FIFA World Cup.
Austria and Algeria: Austria and Algeria drew 3-3 in a dramatic group stage clash, with both teams scoring in the stoppage time after 90 minutes. Algerian winger Riyadh Mahrez had put his side ahead in the 93rd minute before Austrian Saša Kalajdžić scored a breathtaking 96th-minute equaliser.
Brazil will be facing either Norway or the Ivory Coast in the Round of 16 clash.