Brazil 2 Japan 1
A show of character from the Selecao. It was always going to be a tricky match for Brazil against a really strong Japan side that’s unbeaten so far in the tournament and it looked for a while like this would be a step too far for Brazil but they managed to pull through in the end, the first half was one which Brazil dominated possession wise but Japan were in control and looked extremely dangerous on the break which eventually led to the first goal of the game which came after a terrible pass from Danilo gave the ball straight to Kaishu Sano who sped away and fired a shot into the bottom corner from just outside the box to give Japan an unlikely but deserved lead in the 29th minute. Japan looked the better side heading into half-time but did pick up two bookings for Kamada and the goal-scorer Sano which gave Moriyasu some decisions to make at the break, it was actually Ancelotti who made the change at half-time bringing on Endrick for Lucas Paqueta as Brazil searched for the equaliser. The change had an immediate impact as Brazil looked far better in the second half and did equalise as the ball was played to Gabriel who swung a beautiful cross to the back-post where who else but Casemiro was waiting to head Brazil back into the game in the 56th minute, as the half wore on Brazil gained in confidence but Japan were holding strong until the 5th minute of added time when Bruno Guimaraes picked out Martinelli in the box who curled a beautiful effort past Suzuki to send Brazil to the next round.
A game of two halves for Brazil. The first half had echoes of the Morocco game as Japan ran past Brazil’s midfield a number of occasions including the goal where Sano ran past Casemiro with ease and slotted past Alisson, something had to change in the second half and Paqueta made way for Endrick which allowed Brazil to pin back Japan with Cunha and Endrick up top together. On top of the two goals they created numerous chances in the second half with Casemiro having a header cleared off the line along with some Vinicius Junior magic getting saved somehow by Suzuki, the Brazilian bench also played a huge part in keeping up the tempo in the second half even though I have to admit I was surprised to see Martinelli come on over Neymar when Brazil needed a goal. I suppose that’s why Ancelotti is managing and I’m sitting here watching, even if the game went to extra-time I think Brazil would have gotten over the line as Japan ran out of steam in the last 20 minutes or so. Just how far can Brazil go in this World Cup?
Japan’s knockout nightmare continues at the World Cup. The record goes on where Japan still have never won a knockout match at a World Cup and yet again they let it slip after taking the lead, although they didn’t have much possession in the first half they were in control of the game and broke forward looking dangerous each and every time they got into Brazil’s half. Unfortunately that all changed in the second half for Japan who didn’t really threaten at all in the second half and could have easily conceded 3 or 4 in the second 45, you can put it down to a number of things but I really do think the injuries have played a massive part in why Japan couldn’t stay at a high level for the full 90. When you’re missing the likes of Wataru Endo, Karou Mitoma, Takumi Minamino and Takefusa Kubo you’re level is inevitably going to drop particularly going forward where Japan have been decimated by injuries, overall the tournament is probably going to go down as a disappointment for Japan but I really would have loved to see them at full strength, maybe next time?
Brazil’s midfield is so confusing. Similar to the Morocco game there’s times when I’m watching teams completely overrun Casemiro and Bruno Guimaraes in the middle and you’re thinking that Brazil are going to get decimated today but they seem to eventually get themselves together and then play really well in the second half with Casemiro scoring the equaliser and Guimaraes assisting the winner, as a United fan I’m no stranger to Casemiro getting overrun at times but he’s arguably one of the best players in the world in both boxes and we saw that in abundance today. Ancelotti even subbed Martinelli to play in the midfield which looked like a strange decision until you realise his pace can be a huge asset running from deep which almost got Brazil the winner way before added time, Lucas Paqueta was awful in the first half but realistically you could have subbed any of them off and they couldn’t have complained. It’s definitely going to bite them at some point but I guess Ancelotti is just going to keep going with the same midfield, what would you change in the Brazilian midfield?
Who will Brazil be playing in the next round? Up next for the Selecao is either Ivory Coast or Norway which should be for an absolute cracker of a game no matter who they play, I tipped Ivory Coast to have a good tournament in my predictions and have been really impressed by them so far in the three group games. Norway have also been really impressive and go into the game fully rested having played their second 11 against France on Friday, no matter who it is they’re facing Brazil will have to play much better than they did in the first half if they want any chance of going through to the quarter-finals. Do you fancy Brazil to beat either Ivory Coast or Norway? I’m not so sure.