Gabriel Martinelli struck in the 96th minute to complete a stunning comeback as Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 at NRG Stadium in Houston, in front of 68,777 fans.

Carlo Ancelotti's side advance to the round of 16, where they will face either Ivory Coast or Norway. Japan, for their part, have now led in each of their last three World Cup knockout matches — and lost every one of them.

Japan take the lead

Brazil looked vulnerable from the outset, and Japan capitalised in the 29th minute when Kaishu Sano picked up on a poor pass from Danilo, glided past Casemiro, and struck from the edge of the box to send Japan into the break with the lead.

Earlier, in the 23rd minute, Sano had been fortunate to avoid a second yellow card after a lunge on Cunha on the byline went unpunished.

Casemiro atones

The turnaround began after the interval, though Casemiro made Brazil's supporters wait. In the 53rd minute, a close-range header from the midfielder cannoned off Takehiro Tomiyasu, then goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, and back onto Tomiyasu on the goal-line — somehow staying out.

Three minutes later, Casemiro made no mistake. He met Gabriel's cross at the far post with a firm header to level the tie and silence the nerves inside NRG Stadium.

Drama at both ends

Brazil almost completed the comeback immediately. In the 58th minute, Vinicius Jr burst clear with a spectacular solo run and planted the ball past Suzuki — only for the goalkeeper to palm it onto the post. The rebound fell to safety.

With the clock ticking deep into stoppage time, Bruno Guimaraes found Martinelli in the box. The substitute's composed poke beat Suzuki, struck the inside of the post, and rolled over the line to spark wild celebrations among Brazil's travelling support.

Brazil will now face Ivory Coast or Erling Haaland's Norway in Sunday's last 16.