Brazil produced a dramatic late comeback to defeat Japan 2-1 and book their place in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A stoppage-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli sealed victory for the five-time world champions after they had trailed for much of the contest against a spirited Japanese side.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men looked set for a disappointing exit after Japan took a deserved first-half lead and frustrated Brazil for long periods. However, a second-half turnaround, inspired by tactical changes from the experienced Italian coach, kept Brazil’s hopes of winning a sixth World Cup title alive.

Japan started the match brightly and were rewarded for their aggressive approach in the first half. Midfielder Kaishu Sano capitalised on a misplaced pass from Danilo, drove past Casemiro and fired a low shot into the bottom corner to give the Asian side a deserved lead.

Brazil struggled to break down Japan’s organised five-man defence before the interval, and concerns grew among their supporters as the underdogs continued to frustrate them.

However, the match changed after the break when Ancelotti introduced Endrick and adjusted his team’s attacking approach. Brazil began using the wide areas more effectively and increased the number of crosses into the penalty area.

Their pressure finally paid off in the 55th minute when Casemiro rose highest to powerfully head home Gabriel’s cross from the back post and level the scores.

The equaliser lifted Brazil, who nearly took the lead moments later through Vinicius Junior. The winger produced a brilliant individual run, beating two defenders before seeing his effort brilliantly tipped onto the post by Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Despite Brazil’s dominance, Japan remained disciplined and continued to defend bravely. Defender Takehiro Tomiyasu made a crucial goal-line clearance, while the Japanese side occasionally threatened on the counter-attack.

Just as extra time appeared inevitable, Japan made a costly mistake deep into stoppage time. Ao Tanaka lost possession close to his own penalty area, allowing Bruno Guimaraes to quickly feed Gabriel Martinelli. The Arsenal forward controlled the ball calmly before firing a low shot off the post and into the net in the 95th minute.

The dramatic goal sparked wild celebrations among the Brazilian players and supporters, while Japan were left heartbroken after coming so close to forcing extra time.

Brazil will now face either Norway or Ivory Coast in the Round of 16 as they continue their quest for a sixth FIFA World Cup title.

For Japan, the defeat marks another painful exit from the tournament’s knockout stages despite an impressive performance. Coach Hajime Moriyasu’s tactical plan worked brilliantly for much of the game, but one late mistake ended the hopes of a side that had pushed one of football’s greatest nations to the very limit.

Once again, Carlo Ancelotti’s experience proved decisive as Brazil survived a major scare to keep their World Cup dream alive.

Alex Rae, a young Cranbourne-based trainer, still holds a viable chance of winning the Creswick Sprint Series Final this Saturday at Flemington, even though his two heat winners won’t be participating.

The promising gelding Blankfield is set to represent Rae’s stable in the $175,000 Listed 1200-metre race designed for three-year-olds. I’m Foxing, who impressively won the final heat of the Creswick Sprint Series at Caulfield last Saturday, is being kept for the Lightning Stakes in Adelaide. Furthermore, the timing of the final has proven too soon for I’mateez, the victor of the June 20 heat.

Nevertheless, Blankfield’s prospects are far from insignificant. The Blue Point gelding has achieved victory in both of his starts this preparation, with each win occurring over the distance scheduled for Saturday’s race. Rae confirmed that his attention had been solely focused on the Creswick Sprint Series Final since Blankfield’s most recent win on Caulfield’s Heath track.

“The 1200 down the straight is going to suit him,” Rae stated. “It might be a bit of a stiffer test, but he’s going really well and we’ve been targeting the race the last three weeks, so he’ll be a chance for sure.”

Blankfield narrowly defeated Prestar in a benchmark 64 race held at Caulfield on May 27. Third place in that contest was secured by Afterberna, who subsequently won at Caulfield last Saturday and is also among the entries for the Creswick Final. Other notable contenders for the Creswick Final include Barari and Wise Inlaw, who ran the quinella in the Creswick heat at Flemington on June 6, the Group 3 placed runner Recuperato, and the highly regarded filly Chains Of Love.

Blankfield’s rise in prominence has coincided with a period of career-best form for Rae, who has trained 15 winners from his last 48 runners. I’mateez provided him with only his second winner at Flemington two weekends ago, almost eight years after his initial success there. He has an opportunity to double his Flemington tally again this weekend.

Enna’s Dream is entered for the Leilani Series Final, where she will be aiming for consecutive wins following her victory at Murray Bridge on June 13. “She’s good enough to run well there,” Rae commented. “Obviously it’s going to be a stiff test, but she’ll bob up in a race like that one day.” Enna’s Dream was one of sixteen entries for the Leilani Final, a 1400m event for fillies and mares. Fancify, Lady Jones, Grid Girl, Duchess Zou, and Miss Aria are also potential participants in this race.

Explore the latest racing odds at Australian betting sites for this weekend’s feature races.

Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, working for German television during the World Cup, likened Tah’s disallowed goal to many which Premier League champions Arsenal had scored throughout the season.

Klopp told MagentaTV: “If the goal is illegal, then Arsenal won’t be English champions. They’ve scored 60% of their goals that way.

“We [Germany] win the game when the ball goes in. So, of course, this is brutal.”

As the game restarted, former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann shared his views on the decision.

“This is soft, in my opinion,” Cann said on BBC One.

“But judging by what we’ve seen in the tournament so far, it wouldn’t surprise me if they do rule it out.

“We’ve seen two or three goals ruled out for very small offences. This is hardly anything.

“It’s a small block on the goalkeeper, but for me, it’s not enough. I suspect they will be ruling this out. We feel this should not be disallowed.”

Ex-Scotland winger Pat Nevin, in Boston for BBC Radio 5 Live, also believed the apparent foul was not clear enough to rule the goal out.

He said: “It is mayhem around there. There is a block – has it affected the goalkeeper? It looks like it.

“It is a subjective call. That is not clear.”

Another World Cup, another moment of unwanted history for Germany. Even though this Germany team got out of the group unlike in Qatar and Russia, the disappointment of this exit in the USA, Canada and Mexico sits just as deep. For the first time in their history, Germany lost a World Cup game on penalties. For the second time in a week, Germany played the game their opponents wanted rather than taking control themselves. And, for the third straight World Cup, Germany failed to meet expectations.

“Only thing I can say is I’m sorry. To disappoint again is not a nice feeling,” Kai Havertz, who missed one of Germany’s penalties, told public broadcaster ZDF afterwards. “We tried to [attack via] the flanks, but unfortunately it didn’t really work out. And I don’t think we deserved to win this time.”

“Even though the elimination hurts: What a game,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on social media. “With your dedication and team spirit at this World Cup, you’ve inspired our country. We’re proud of you.”

From its diversity to its team spirit, there are indeed many inspirational sources in this current Germany team. Sadly, when they needed an inspirational performance, they couldn’t find one.

Ecuador loss a factor

Beforehand, Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann said his team needed to adapt a “scumbag mentality” in order to progress. There was little of that tenacity on offer from Germany. This was a side that looked tentative for too long and indecisive when it mattered. Despite coming back from a goal down in normal time, and denying Paraguay the winning penalty twice, Germany were unable to win. It turns out a lot more was lost in New York New Jersey than just the game against Ecuador.

The momentum that Germany lost with that defeat hung over their heads in Boston just four days later. Despite Deniz Undav starting, Julian Nagelsmann’s side looked ponderous. Over half an hour in, Germany had completed seven times as many passes as their opponents. Paraguay were asking, perhaps even daring Germany to break them down. Germany couldn’t find a way.

Paraguay did, with their first real foray forward. A recycled corner led to an unmarked Julio Enciso, just 168 centimeters (5 feet, 5 inches) tall, heading home from near the penalty spot. It was a poor look for Germany’s defense, but also an indictment on the harmlessness of Germany’s attack.

Germany were huffing and puffing, again, but not really finding the answers. For the third straight game in this tournament, Germany needed something to spark them into life. This time, it was the tactical change to cross the ball more that brought the equalizer. Kai Havertz’s glancing header was enough to claw Germany back. Initially, it felt like the moment the game would change and Germany would earn a gritty, ugly 2-1 win.

However, like Germany at World Cups of late, the equalizer proved to be a false dawn. So too was Jonathan Tah’s disallowed goal in extra time. The defender’s header was ruled out for a foul in the build-up in a decision Nagelsmann called “scandalous.” He also admitted though, that Germany should have decided the game beforehand.

They didn’t. And so, when Kai Havertz and Nick Woltemade missed in the shootout, Germany’s tournament looked like it was done. The door opened for one final twist though, when Antonio Sanabria fired wide, Paraguay’s victory in his hands. When Neuer denied Fabian Balbuena with a strong save, Germany looked like they really might have leapt from the jaws of defeat. But Tah, playing in his first World Cup, blazed the first penalty in sudden death over, and Jose Canale sealed Paraguay’s win at the third time of asking. Fittingly for this team of false dawns and slow starts, their defeat came by a thousand cuts rather than one swift blow.

The fallout

Losing 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time — how did Germany let it come to this? Much will be asked after an exit like this. For Neuer, his return offered little more than a few records. Germany captain Joshua Kimmich’s international career is now littered with disappointments. At 31 years old, it is fair to wonder whether he will even be at Euro 2028. Antonio Rüdiger (33), Leon Goretzka (31) and Leroy Sane (30) are likely not coming back. Significant change lies ahead.

More importantly, what of Julian Nagelsmann? His contract, after a surprising extension in early 2025, runs until 2028.

“I’m here to work and if the DFB decides otherwise then they should tell me,” Nagelsmann said afterwards. “I’m not the type of person who runs away.”

This Germany team though, are running right out of this World Cup as the country confirms its place outside of football’s elite. Another introspective analysis of the health of the beautiful game in Germany will follow. Fingers will be pointed. Questions will be asked. And so begins another long road to trying to restore this football nation to the top table.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery

The Jalen Duren sweepstakes are heating up ahead of free agency opening on Tuesday (6 p.m. ET). Chris Haynes reported that Duren, who is a restricted free agent, is planning to meet with the Sacramento Kings when free agency officially opens. The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported shortly after that Duren has a call scheduled with the Lakers when free agency opens.

Duren, 22, is eligible for a five-year, $287 million extension (30% of the cap) from the Pistons if he re-signs with the franchise after earning All-NBA honors. If Duren signs an offer sheet elsewhere — and the Pistons execute a sign-and-trade for him — another team can offer a four-year deal worth approximately $177.4 million. Because Duren is a restricted free agent, the Pistons can match any offer sheet a team presents. 

Duren is coming off the best season of his career with the Pistons after averaging 19.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists. He earned All-NBA Third-Team and NBA All-Star honors for the first time in his career and helped Detroit finish as the No. 1 seed in the East.

Ahead of free agency starting, here is where Duren can land — and why the Pistons could end up being his most likely destination when the dust settles.

Detroit Pistons

Why it would make sense: Above all else, the most likely scenario for logistical reasons is Duren returning to Detroit. Because Duren is a restricted free agent, the Pistons have the right to match any offer another team hands out. Additionally, because so few teams have cap space this summer, most deals would have to be a sign-and-trade. Duren is coming off his best season as a pro with the Pistons. And he wants to get paid. The Pistons can offer him more money than anyone else. 

Even after Duren’s lackluster showing in the playoffs (his scoring average dropped from 19.5 points per game in the regular season to 10.2 in the playoffs), he is part of a core that had the best record in the East. If the Pistons do explore a sign-and-trade, they would almost certainly need to trade for a frontcourt player, which is why a potential deal with Sacramento could work. After losing Isaiah Stewart this offseason, Duren walking would be a major blow for the Pistons as the franchise attempts to take another step. That’s why he could end up back in Detroit.

Sacramento Kings

Why it would make sense: This offseason has been full of wild rumors and storylines. The Kings being in on Duren is just the latest curveball of chaos. If the Kings did make a deal with Detroit, two names who make sense to get dealt (to make the money work) are Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis. LaVine, who just opted into his $49 million player option for the 2026-27 season, has been linked in the past to the Pistons. However, Sabonis would make more sense in a potential sign-and-trade scenario. 

Duren is set to make $45.4 million this season and $48.6 million next. Replacing Sabonis with Duren would also make the Kings younger. If Duren joined Sacramento, he would be the youngest non-rookie on the roster. After drafting Darius Acuff Jr. with the No. 7 pick, adding a long-term running mate coming off an All-NBA season would make sense for a Kings team also searching for an identity. Sacramento went through the RFA dance last offseason with the Golden State Warriors when the franchise expressed interest in Jonathan Kuminga. After a long contract standoff, he signed a two-year deal to return to the Warriors before being traded to the Hawks at last season’s deadline. Kuminga is now an unrestricted free agent after having his team option declined by Atlanta on Monday.

Los Angeles Lakers

Why it would make sense: The Lakers are a team to monitor this offseason. LeBron James is a free agent. Austin Reaves just signed a deal to return to the franchise long-term. If James leaves in free agency, the Lakers would all of a sudden have cap space. The Lakers’ biggest need this offseason is finding a center. They have been linked to fellow RFA Walker Kessler and now Duren. It makes sense that Los Angeles would like to add an All-NBA player to its core of Reaves and Luka Dončić, as the franchise could turn the page on the LeBron era. 

Duren would add size, rebounding and interior finishing to a Lakers frontcourt in desperate need of it. Duren would also fit the timelines of Reaves and Dončić, who are tied together for at least the 2027-28 season. Notably, Dončić has a player option for the 2028-29 season. Adding someone like Duren would be another signal to Dončić that the Lakers are ready to build a team around him for the next chapter of Lakers basketball.