Gabriel Martinelli’s stoppage-time goal against Japan on Monday saw Carlo Ancelotti’s side through to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they await the winner of Tuesday’s match between the Ivory Coast and Norway.
Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli makes World Cup history vs. Japan
Arsenal’s Gabriel
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
The goal also made some history.
Japan opened the scoring in the first half, on a brilliant interception, run, and strike from midfielder Kaishu Sano. Ancelotti made some halftime changes, taking off midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who had suffered a knock, for Endrick, a forward, to use more of a 4-2-4 shape. The results were almost immediate. After being overrun in the midfield in the first half, Brazil were on the front foot with more of an offensive advantage in the second, leading to the equalizer from Casemiro in the 56th minute:
But the winner from Martinelli did not come until deep in stoppage time, when the Arsenal forward—who did not enter the match until the 66th minute—struck with his right foot:
That leads us to the bit of history.
According to Opta, this was the latest winning goal in normal time of a knockout stage match on record at the FIFA World Cup, dating back to 1966:
With the FIFA World Cup expanding to 48 teams for this year’s tournament, and adding a Round of 32, that has opened the door to some history-making events like Martinelli’s winner on Monday.
What history awaits us starting today?
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