After Japan’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, striker Daizen Maeda apologised to fans for not living up to their expectations.
Brazil came from behind to beat Japan with a dramatic stoppage-time winner. Gabriel Martinelli scored in the 95th minute, helping Brazil secure a place in the Round of 16 in front of a packed crowd on Tuesday (IST). In a post on X, Maeda said he was sorry that Japan could not deliver a better result.
Although the team once again failed to improve on its best World Cup finish of reaching the Round of 32, he said he was proud of everything the players, coaching staff, families and fans had achieved together since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“I’m truly sorry for not meeting your expectations. However, over these past three and a half years since the Qatar World Cup, everything we’ve built together with the players, staff, families, and all the fans and supporters is my pride. Thank you so much for all the support,” Maeda wrote.
Japan shocked Brazil by taking the lead in the first half, as Kaishu Sano intercepted a loose ball in his own half, raced nearly 40 yards and finished with a powerful shot past goalkeeper Alisson to make it 1-0.
Brazil responded strongly after the break, as Gabriel Magalhaes delivered a cross into the box and Casemiro headed home the equaliser to make it 1-1.
As the match appeared to be heading into extra time, Brazil launched one final attack. Danilo regained possession and passed to Endrick, who passed Bruno Guimaraes. The winger then calmly finished past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to seal a 2-1 victory.
Brazil will now face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the Round of 16 on Jul 5 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.
The match added another memorable chapter to the rare World Cup meetings between Brazil and Japan. Before this encounter, the two teams had met only once at the tournament, in 2006.