Brazil into last 16 as Martinelli strikes in stoppage time to break Japan hearts

Not for the first time in this tournament, there were long periods when Brazil did not impress. And not for the first time in this tournament, they got away with it. It may be inexplicable but the Carlo Ancelotti method that worked at Real Madrid is working again: stay in games and eventually either opponents will make a mistake or brilliant players will do something brilliant. Brazil were 1-0 down at half-time and struggling. Their earliest exit form a World Cup seemed entirely possible. Five players in the Brazil starting lineup were aged over 30, five of the six defensive players – and

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