Brazil substitute Gabriel Martinelli struck in stoppage time to complete a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Japan in the World Cup last 32 on Monday.

Record five-times winners Brazil, whose World Cup title drought stands at 24 years, had gone behind to Mainz midfielder Kaishū Sano’s first international goal just before the half-hour mark.

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Brazil looked stunned but returned for the second half with renewed vigour and starlet Endrick off the bench.

Casemiro had a header cleared off the line but moments later headed in the leveller from Gabriel’s cross having just avoided being offside.

The 56-minute equalizer was quickly followed by Vinícius Júnior hitting the post after a wavy run to thrill the Brazil fans inside the cavernous Houston stadium.

Brazil kept probing and Japan could not get out of their half, yet the Samurai Blue rearguard looked like it might force extra-time.

But Arsenal winger Martinelli found a modicum of space in the box and his effort went in off the post five minutes in injury time.

In the last 16, Carlo Ancelotti’s Seleção face Ivory Coast or Norway in New Jersey on Sunday. Their last-32 game is on Tuesday.