Brazil secured a 2-1 victory over Japan in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. Goals from Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli proved sufficient to seal a vital win that keeps their campaign alive this summer. Brazil will now shift their focus to facing either Ivory Coast or Norway in the Round of 16 on Sunday, July 5.
Football fans quickly noticed the absence of Neymar Jr., who had made his first appearance of the 2026 World Cup in the previous group stage match against Scotland.
Neymar was completely fit and available for selection against Japan today. While he remained on the bench, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti chose to substitute on Endrick, Gabriel Martinelli, Fabinho, and Danilo Santos instead.
After the conclusion of the match, Ancelotti addressed questions regarding Neymar’s lack of minutes against Japan and detailed his reasons for not introducing him.
Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Neymar’s absence from the pitch against Japan was entirely unrelated to any injury. Neymar was perfectly fine, and Ancelotti had intended to use him if the match had progressed into extra time.
Japan initially claimed the lead during the first half, but Brazil leveled the score with a header from Casemiro early in the second half. Brazil ultimately clinched the victory in the 95th minute of play with a goal from Gabriel Martinelli.
Ancelotti maintained that Neymar was originally scheduled to enter the match in the second half before Brazil netted their equalizer in the 56th minute. Neymar had been observed warming up alongside other players from the Brazilian bench.
Ancelotti said, “I was saving Neymar for extra time. I spoke with him, and if we hadn’t equalized, he would have come on in the 60th or 65th minute. But we equalized, and I didn’t want to change the team’s shape because we were controlling the match.”
