Brazil strike back, level scores against Japan

Brazil fought back to restore parity against Japan in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash, with the five-time world champions finally breaking through after an intense spell of second-half pressure.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti made an attacking change by introducing teenage forward Endrick in place of Lucas Paquetá, a move that immediately injected greater urgency into the Seleção's attack.

Brazil came within inches of an equaliser moments after the restart when Bruno Guimarães powered a header toward goal, only for Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to produce a superb save. Minutes later, the South American side threatened again, but Japanese defenders cleared the ball off the goal line to preserve their narrow advantage.

The sustained pressure, however, eventually proved too much for Japan to withstand. After wave upon wave of attacks, Brazil finally found the breakthrough, cancelling out Japan's first-half lead and bringing the contest level.

The equaliser shifted momentum firmly in Brazil's favour as the Seleção continued to press for a winner, while Japan looked to regroup and exploit opportunities on the counterattack in what had become a fiercely contested knockout encounter.