In the early hours of June 30th (Vietnam time), the Brazilian team came from behind to defeat Japan 2-1 with a winning goal in the 90+6th minute.
Speaking after the match, coach Ancelotti said: “We didn’t lose patience. The team has many options both on the field and on the bench. Japan is not an easy opponent. They are a very well-organized team and play with a very high intensity.”
When asked about Neymar warming up but ultimately not being used in the match, coach Ancelotti explained: “Actually, I had planned to save Neymar for extra time. If we hadn’t scored a second goal, he would have come on around the 105th minute. I didn’t want to change the team structure because the whole team was playing very well.”
Coach Ancelotti's statement accurately reflected the match's dynamics. Japan took an early lead, but Brazil remained calm. The Selecao patiently controlled possession, maintained pressure, and waited for opportunities before Casemiro equalized, and Gabriel Martinelli scored the winning goal in injury time.
Meanwhile, Casemiro believes that mental strength is the most important factor in helping Brazil overcome difficult times. “The greatest strength of the Brazilian team is our spirit. We maintain constant pressure on the opponent's half. In the World Cup, utilizing players coming off the bench is extremely important,” the 34-year-old midfielder shared.
After the match, coach Ancelotti caused a sensation on social media with his calm demeanor. While all the substitute players rushed onto the field to celebrate Martinelli's goal that put them 2-1 up, the Italian strategist simply turned to shake hands with his assistant, adjusted his glasses, and gestured for everyone to remain calm.
The 67-year-old coach's "ice-cold" reaction immediately sparked debate. One fan jokingly asked: "If Brazil wins the World Cup for the sixth time, will Coach Ancelotti show any emotion?"
Brazil's opponent in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup on the morning of July 6th will be the winner of the match between Ivory Coast and Norway.
Video of Martinelli scoring the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory for Brazil. Source: VTV