Brazil didn’t look like Brazil for most of the first half on Monday. But Casemiro and company figured it out just in time.
The five-time World Cup champions found themselves down a goal after a midfield mistake — Casemiro himself was part of that error — and Japan looked ready to pull off a monumental upset in the Round of 32. But Brazil clawed back. Casemiro equalized with a header, then Gabriel Martinelli bagged the winner in stoppage time to send the Selecao through to the next round.
After the match, Casemiro pointed to something that doesn’t always get talked about when you have Brazil’s talent: keeping your head.
“The victory was about our calm and our patience in pressuring and pressuring a team playing a low block,” Casemiro said, via ESPN. “This was the most important aspect — believing that calm would see a time when we would score.”
Japan packed men behind the ball, dared Brazil to break them down, and for a while it worked. Their counter-attack goal came from a moment of sloppy possession in midfield, and they nearly held on for a win that would have been one of the biggest in their history.
“We were fighting all game and had possession so we knew we would get chances,” Casemiro said. “Japan are really organized in defense, but we were really good in the second half and won the match. I am so happy. So many people celebrating this. I am so proud and we are moving forward.”
What’s next for Brazil after squeaking past Japan
This wasn’t a dominant performance by any means. Brazil had the ball for long stretches but struggled to create clean looks against a disciplined Japanese defensive block. Martinelli’s goal saved them from extra time and a potential penalty shootout that could have ended their tournament way earlier than anyone expected.
Japan deserves credit. They didn’t just sit back and hope. They had a plan, executed it well, and came within minutes of forcing a five-time champion into an extra period. But Brazil has a habit of finding ways forward, even when it’s ugly.
Up next for the Selecao is the Round of 16, where they’ll face either Ivory Coast or Norway. That match is scheduled for July 5 at 4 p.m. ET.
Casemiro isn’t getting ahead of himself. “We look forward to the round of 16, but right now, we have to rest and think we have four matches to go.”
Four matches. That’s the distance between where Brazil is now and another World Cup trophy. And based on Monday, it’s going to take every bit of calm and patience they’ve got.
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