Inconsolable Ao Tanaka helped up off ground as Japan denied World Cup history with heart-breaking defeat to Brazil

Leeds midfielder Ao Tanaka was left on the ground in tears after Japan’s heart-breaking exit from the World Cup.

Japan were cruelly dumped out of the competition by Brazil in the round of 32, as Gabriel Martinelli‘s stoppage-time winner saw Carlo Ancelotti‘s side pull off a 2-1 comeback win.

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This means that the Asian nation are still yet to win a knockout match at the World Cup, with this their fifth defeat at this stage.

And it came in heart-breaking fashion, with Japan having led in the first-half after Kaishu Sano opened the scoring in the 29th minute.

Casemiro then equalised with a powerful header early in the second half, before Brazil gradually began to take control.

But just as the game looked to be heading towards extra time, the five-time champions snatched victory in the sixth minute of stoppage-time as Arsenal star Martinelli finished off a well-worked move to spark wild scenes.

It left Japan’s players devastated, especially Tanaka, who had given the ball away in the build-up to Brazil’s winner.

And the midfielder was inconsolable at full time, as he was shown covering his face in tears on the ground, before being helped up by teammates and opponents.

Even before the cameras later showed Tanaka crying in the Japan huddle, he was comforted by several Brazilian players.

Matheus Cunha, Neymar and reserve goalkeeper Weverton all also tried to lift Tanaka’s spirits, but to little avail.

So close, yet so far

Tanaka’s devastation summed up the gut-wrenching defeat, as Japan looked set at one point to make history.

They were the better side in the first half, and made their dominance count as they headed in 1-0 up at the interval.

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This left Brazil staring at their earliest-ever World Cup exit, only for their big-name players to step up when they needed them most.

As mentioned, Japan’s exit saw their knockout woes continue, who have now lost all five of their games at this stage of the tournament.

Their best-ever finish at football’s biggest tournament remains their run to the round of 16 in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022.

But with the 2026 edition expanding to a 48-team format, despite making it out of the group stage, Hajime Moriyasu’s side were unable to match or better their previous knockout results.

Japan exit the World Cup after finishing second in Group F with an unbeaten record, drawing twice against the Netherlands and Sweden, as well as beating Tunisia 4-0.

Premier League plays its part

While Japan were left heartbroken, Brazil’s players celebrated wildly after the last-gasp win kept their tournament hopes alive.

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And with Martinelli’s first-ever World Cup goal sending the Selecao through, this kept up the remarkable role Premier League players have had in the national team’s progress so far.

Eight of the nine goals Brazil have scored have had a Premier League player involved, whether that was scoring the goal or assisting it.

That is counting Casemiro’s goal against Japan, despite the veteran midfielder departing Manchester United this summer.

As well as Casemiro and Martinelli’s contributions, Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes boasts four assists, Man United’s Cunha has scored three times, while Arsenal defender Gabriel and Bournemouth‘s Rayan have an assist each.

Speaking after the win, Martinelli said: “We were fighting all through the game, we wanted to keep ball possession.

“At some point we know we would get close to goal. Japan close the defence really nice but we did a good job, really controlled the match and finally generated the winning opportunity.”

He added: “It represents so much. My whole family watching, my friend at home, our people celebrating.

“I’m so elated and really proud and it gives us confidence to move forward. We have to keep our feet firmly on the ground and good things can happen.”