Bruno Guimaraes and Brazil took on Japan in Houston.
The prize a place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
It was an even game in the first half and Japan looking dangerous on the break.
Not the biggest surprise when on 29 minutes they took the lead, Danilo gifting possession and the lumbering Casemiro unable to keep pace with Sano who produced an excellent finish from the edge of the box after a determined run.
Brazil were stunned and could find no way back into the match by the break.
Everybody assuming that Carlo Ancelotti would take off Casemiro who had been shocking once again. However, the veteran midfielder was left on and instead the only change Endrick for Paqueta who had got injured just before half time.
Bruno Guimaraes had been the one positive for Brazil in the opening half as he was involved in pretty much anything good they produced.
The Newcastle United midfielder continuing that into the second half and his non-stop running helping to make up in part for Casemiro’s lack of mobility.
Carlo Ancelotti has a little bit of experience and keeping Casemiro on produced the equaliser. He had already been denied with a point blank header but when Gabriel put in an excellent cross from the left, Casemiro’s header gave the keeper no chance on 56 minutes.
Suzuki was excellent in the Japan goal and increasingly stood between Brazil and victory as they dominated.
Vinicius Jnr saw a potential goal of the tournament denied when a superb run ended with him shooting across Suzuki, the keeper somehow deflecting it onto the post.
Brazil were surging forward with attack after attack but Japan standing firm with a packed defence.
With extra time looming though, the fifth minute of added time came the moment.
Bruno Guimaraes on the edge of the penalty area and a packed defence in front of him, a brilliant left foot pass though somehow released Martinelli and his smart finish across Suzuki won the match. Incredible scenes as Brazil celebrated.
Bruno Guimaraes then subbed off to a hero’s reception and the final seconds played out before the final whistle.
Brazil will now play the winners of Norway v Ivory Coast for a place in the quarter-finals.
Bruno Guimaraes was named Brazil’s man of the match by Goal, they gave him a higher rating (8 out of 10) than any teammate and said this about Bruno’s performance: ‘Always willing to drive forward and try make something happen for Brazil, the Newcastle United ace had three attempts on goal in the first half alone. It, thus, came as no surprise to see him provide the pass from which Martinelli decided the game.’
That is four assists in four games now at this 2026 World Cup for the Newcastle United captain.
The Bruno Guimaraes assist and Martinelli goal are at 6.45 in the highlights below.
The 2026 World Cup group games and knockout schedule for Newcastle United players:
Saturday 13 June
Morocco 1 Brazil 1 (Bruno Guimaraes assist for Vinicius Jnr equaliser)
Sunday 14 June
Curacao 1 Germany 7 (Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade unused subs)
Monday 15 June
Tunisia 1 Sweden 5 (Anthony Elanga introduced in the 91st minute when Sweden led 4-1)
Wednesday 17 June
Portugal 1 DR Congo 1 (Yoane Wissa with a brilliant headed goal to equalise just before the break)
Croatia 2 England 4 (Dan Burn an unused sub as England entertain!)
Saturday 20 June
Haiti 0 Brazil 3 (Bruno Guimaraes stars in comfortable win)
Ivory Coast 1 Germany 2 (Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade were unused subs)
Netherlands 5 Sweden 1 (Anthony Elanga brought on at 4-0 down and scored a cracking goal)
Tuesday 23 June
Ghana 0 England 0 (Dan Burn an unused sub in this bore draw for England)
Wednesday 24 June
Colombia 1 DR Congo 0 (Yoane Wissa played the full match as Colombia won with a 76th minute goal)
Scotland 0 Brazil 3 (Bruno Guimaraes with two classy assists to top off an excellent display)
Thursday 25 June
Ecuador 2 Germany 1 (A poor Germany performance despite taking a 2nd minute lead. Ecuador fully deserving the comeback win as Nick Woltemade stayed on the bench but Malick Thiaw did okay when coming on to play the final half hour at right-back)
Friday 26 June
Japan 1 Sweden 1 (Anthony Elanga starting the game and a brilliant long range curling finish that levelled the match and guaranteed Sweden progress to the last 32)
Saturday 27 June
Panama 0 England 2 (Dan Burn an unused sub as England eventually score twice in the final half hour to top the group)
Sunday 28 June
Uzbekistan 1 DR Congo 3 (Yoane Wissa the two goal man of the match as DR Congo turn a 1-0 half-time deficit into a 3-1 win after the break)
Round of 32 knockout matches:
Monday 29 June
Brazil 2 Japan 1 (Bruno Guimaraes top player for Brazil and a super pass in 95th minute to set Martinelli up for the winner)
Monday 29 June
Paraguay 1 Germany 1 (Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw come off the bench but Germany lose on penalties after extra time, Big Nick one of three Germany players who fail to score in the shoot out)
Tuesday 30 June
France v Sweden (Anthony Elanga) 10pm (ITV1)
Wednesday 1 July
England (Dan Burn) v DR Congo (Yoane Wissa) 5pm (BBC1)