Brazil breathed a sigh of relief but didn’t escape the mockery. In a match that seemed lost, the Canarinha beat Japan 2-1 in stoppage time and advanced to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Goals from Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli in the second half avoided the embarrassment, but the memes were already served.
The first half was a disaster for Carlo Ancelotti’s team. Japan took the lead in the 29th minute with a great goal from Kaishü Sano, who unleashed a powerful, curling shot from the edge of the box that left Alisson with no chance. The Japanese dominated the midfield and created several clear chances. Brazil only managed to react towards the end of the half but couldn’t equalize.
At halftime, social media was on fire. Brazilian and Argentine users (always alert) flooded Twitter with memes comparing the Canarinha to a second-rate team. «Ancelotti is more lost than a tourist in the favela,» wrote one user. Another posted: «Japan is giving Brazil a football lesson, is this real?»
But in the second half, the story changed. In the 10th minute, Casemiro appeared at the far post to head in a cross and make it 1-1. The goal calmed Brazil, who began to dominate the match. Japan retreated and held on as best they could, but in the 95th minute, when everything seemed headed for extra time, Gabriel Martinelli slotted home a cross-shot for the final 2-1. Madness on the Brazilian bench and relief for Ancelotti, who avoided a historic embarrassment.
The memes, of course, evolved. From fierce criticism they turned to ironic praise. «Ancelotti is a genius, he made us suffer so the victory would be more epic,» joked a fan. Another compared Martinelli to a superhero: «He arrived like Batman from Gotham, but with Brazil’s number 11.» There was also room for dark humor: «Japan had us on the brink of harakiri, but in the end they left empty-handed.»
Brazil now awaits a rival between Norway and Ivory Coast, who play on Tuesday, June 30. With this agonizing victory, the Canarinha enters the top 16 in the world, but left doubts. Will it be enough to fight for the title? The memes, for now, don’t forgive.
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Para mí Japón se lo merecía pero Brasil siempre gana porque tienen una cultura superior. Ancelotti es un inútil, si no fuera por los negros Casemiro y Martinelli estarían afuera. Los zurdos llorando con memes como siempre. ¡Viva la mitad del mundo! Firmado: El Gaucho Inmortal
che para mi brasil le gano a japon sobre la hora pero con 2 menos? el arbitro los re favorecio claramente esto huele a arreglo todo el mundial es una verguenza viva la izquierda abajo el imperio del futbol