Gabriel Martinelli scored a crucial goal for Brazil in their World Cup Round of 32 match against Japan.
Kaishu Sano’s 29th-minute strike gave Japan a half-time lead, but Casemiro equalised shortly after the interval.
Then, at the end of an entertaining second half, Martinelli scored the winner to send Brazil to the next round.
Martinelli’s Arsenal teammate, Noni Madueke, reacted to the goal minutes after it happened in Houston.
Noni Madueke’s reaction to Gabriel Martinelli’s decisive goal for Brazil against Japan
Many would consider Gabriel Martinelli fortunate to be in the Brazil squad following a frustrating 2025/26 season at Arsenal.
Even though the Gunners won the Premier League, the winger contributed just one goal and four assists in 30 games.
However, Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti still trusted Martinelli to make an impact in the latter stages against Japan.
Ancelotti even brought the Arsenal man on ahead of Neymar Jr and Igor Thiago, and it proved to be a great decision.
Madueke was delighted for Martinelli, whom he could play against in a potential quarter-final clash between England and Brazil.
“Oh, [that’s] top, top, top. For sure, I’m happy for him. I hope he continues to do extremely well, and just not if they play us,” he told reporters.
Martinelli added that he had been impressed by Brazil in the games he had watched, as well as France and the Netherlands.
“I like to watch Brazil,” the winger added. “France have been good. The Netherlands were good in their last game (3–1 win vs Tunisia).
“All the teams have had performances where they’ve really caught the eye, including us.”
For England to face Brazil in the quarter-final, they will first need to beat DR Congo and either Mexico or Ecuador.
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