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Martinelli strikes at death as Brazil squeeze past Japan

Gabriel Martinelli squeezed in a shot at the far ⁠post in the fifth minute of added time as Brazil survived a scare to defeat Japan 2-1 in their World Cup last-32 clash in Houston on Monday.

Japan took the ‌lead on ⁠29 minutes when Kaishu Sano collected a poor pass from Danilo, drove towards goal and fired a low shot from the ‌edge of the box into the bottom left corner.

⁠Brazil equalised via Casemiro's back-post ‌header from Gabriel Magalhaes’ cross on 56 ⁠minutes.

Vinicius Junior’s mazy run shortly afterwards ended with Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki pushing his ⁠shot on to the post.

Brazil ⁠will play the winners of Tuesday’s last-32 clash between Ivory Coast and Norway on July 5 in New Jersey in the next round.

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