Brazil came within 45 minutes of a humiliating early World Cup exit on Wednesday, only for manager Carlo Ancelotti to engineer a second-half turnaround that kept their dream of a sixth world title alive.

Japan led at the break in Houston and appeared comfortable — until Ancelotti reshaped his side at half-time and Brazil came roaring back to seal a dramatic stoppage-time victory, booking their place in the last 16.

The scale of the scare

South American football expert Tim Vickery, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, did not hold back in describing the peril Brazil faced at the interval.