The clock had ticked past 95 minutes at NRG Stadium before Brazil could breathe out. For most of an anxious afternoon in Houston, the five-time champions looked anything but favorites, chasing a Japan side that sat deep, soaked up pressure and broke with menace. Then the Samurai Blue lost focus for a heartbeat: Bruno Guimarães collected possession on the edge of the area, slipped it through to Gabriel Martinelli, and the Arsenal substitute steadied himself to beat the goalkeeper and seal a 2-1 win that scarcely reflected how close the contest had been.
The result keeps Brazil chasing a record-extending sixth crown — and it stretches a long-running ache for Japan, who have still never won a knockout match at a World Cup.
