Substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored deep in stoppage time as Brazil edged past a resilient Japan 2-1 on Monday to secure their place in the World Cup knockout rounds. The Arsenal winger struck in the 95th minute in Houston, breaking Japanese hearts in dramatic fashion. The five-time champions will now face either Ivory Coast or Norway in New Jersey on Sunday after prevailing in a captivating knockout encounter.

Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano opened the scoring with a classy solo effort in the 29th minute, capitalizing on a Brazil mistake to stun the sea of yellow-clad supporters. But Carlo Ancelotti’s side responded 11 minutes after halftime when veteran Casemiro headed home, as Brazil dominated the second period. Then came Martinelli’s late heroics, sending the Brazil fans into raptures.

History was stacked against Japan, who had never won a knockout match at the World Cup, while Brazil entered as record five-time champions. Yet this is not a vintage Brazil side, even under Ancelotti, and Japan had been tipped as potential dark horses. With the Brazil fans’ drums providing a constant rhythmic backdrop, Ancelotti’s men started brightly before a crowd of 68,777. Images of Neymar on the bench flashed on the big screens, drawing roars from the supporters.

Defensive midfielder Sano was booked for a crunching tackle on Vinicius Junior, and Brazil attacker Matheus Cunha forced goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to turn the ball wide. Japan, who had beaten Brazil 3-2 in a home friendly in October for their first-ever victory over the South Americans, then began to take control. Just before the half-hour mark, Hajime Moriyasu’s team took the lead, stemming from a Danilo error as he gave the ball away with a sloppy pass.

Sano, one of four changes from Japan’s 1-1 draw with Sweden at the end of the group phase, picked up the ball in the centre circle and easily evaded the 34-year-old Casemiro, who was on a booking. The Mainz midfielder drove forward before sweeping the ball past goalkeeper Alisson for his first international goal. Now the Brazil supporters grew edgy, groaning at every misplaced pass or backward movement.

Brazil, whose last World Cup triumph came in 2002, looked unconvincing at the back and ineffective in attack. Ancelotti was forced into a change at the break, with an emotional Lucas Paqueta limping off in distress, replaced by 19-year-old striker Endrick. Japan, who had thrashed Tunisia and held the Netherlands and Sweden to reach the last 32, had Brazil where they wanted them.

Brazil ramped up the pressure to start the second half, and Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu twice kept the ball off the line—though he knew little about it. Brazil were soon level, as Arsenal defender Gabriel sent in an inviting cross for Casemiro to head in unmarked at the back post. The danger man Vinicius, well stifled up until then, turned the Japan defence inside out and stabbed the ball towards Suzuki, who directed it onto the post.

It was all Brazil as they pushed for a late winner, with Vinicius—who scored four times in the group stage—increasingly at the heart of the action. Then came Martinelli’s dramatic late intervention to settle the contest and send Brazil through.