Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said he knew his “suffering” side would eventually score and praised their patience in reaching the World Cup last 16 with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Japan on Monday.
Substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced in the 95th minute in Houston for the five-time champions and sent dark horses Japan home.
It was the latest winning goal in normal time of the knockout stages of the World Cup on record (since 1966).
Japan led 1-0 at the break after some sloppy Brazil play but the South Americans dominated the second half with goals from veteran Casemiro and Arsenal winger Martinelli at the death.
“No one is perfect but you can handle how to get out of mistakes, how to think, look ahead,” the acclaimed Italian Ancelotti, at his first World Cup as a coach, said.
“The team did very well in the second half. No one thought that this team wouldn’t score.”
Ancelotti, a serial winner at club level, said his men had been made to “suffer” in eventually seeing off dangerous opponents.
“Suffering is normal, as is relief,” said Ancelotti, tasked with taking Brazil to World Cup glory for the first time since 2002.
‘We Knew We Would Score’: Ancelotti Hails Brazil’s Resilience Against Japan
