Gabriel Martinelli pushes Brazil past Japan

HOUSTON – After scoring late in stoppage time, Brazil forward Gabriel Martinelli ran toward his teammates for an embrace. He then faced the Selecão supporters at Houston Stadium.

The Arsenal man put his hand across his mouth and then waved at the yellow-clad crowd as they erupted. His strike closed out Brazil’s comeback over Japan on Monday afternoon and secured Brazil’s place in the World Cup Round of 16.

“I can’t find the words to describe the joy in my heart,” Martinelli said. “Seeing all those fans on their feet, my parents, my friends … I can’t explain it.

“After hitting the woodwork, I knew I’d get another chance. I honestly don’t have the words. I’m just happy I was able to help the team.”

Latest clutch goal

Martinelli’s rise has long been defined by dramatic moments. He signed with English Premier League giant Arsenal at 18 from Ituano Futebole Clube on July 2, 2019.

Martinelli made his EPL debut on the road against Newcastle a month later. He scored his first Arsenal goal against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup. His first season ended with 10 goals and a Goal of the Season for the solo strike at Chelsea, an early sign of his ability to tilt matches.

That instinct sharpened in decisive stretches. During the 2023–2024 Premier League campaign, he produced 10 goal involvements, highlighted by the winner against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium and the second goal in the 3–1 victory over Liverpool. Both plays shifted the match when Arsenal needed a spark.

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The following season brought steady growth. He reached double figures again and added six assists. His defining moment came at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where he scored the winner to secure a 2–1 result and a 5–1 aggregate triumph over Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Internationally, Martinelli made his senior Brazil debut on March 24, 2022, in a 4–0 CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifier win over Chile. He later featured at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Brazil reached the quarterfinals. Martinelli earned a place in the 2024 Copa América squad in the United States.

A year of winning

After helping Arsenal capture its first Premier League title in 22 years this spring, Gabriel Martinelli joined the Brazilian national team for his second World Cup.

On Monday afternoon, he came off the bench for forward Matheus Cunha in the 66th minute with the score tied at 1. He pushed the five-time World Cup champions forward deep into stoppage time. He scored his fifth international goal and third on U.S. soil to send the Selecão into the Round of 16 before an electric crowd of 68,777

Japan, which had defended with discipline and held a lead into the 56th minute, were left devastated. After the final whistle, several Samurai Blue players fell to their knees or on their backs and remained lying on the pitch, processing a result that slipped away in the final seconds.

“I’m very disappointed that we have to leave the tournament at this stage,” Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said. “But the players gave their all today, as they did throughout the journey to reach this point.

“The coaching staff also worked tirelessly to support the players. Right now I’m devastated after giving everything we had, but I want to accept this result and use it to become an even stronger team.”