When the entire Brazil dugout erupted in celebration, one man barely flinched. As Gabriel Martinelli buried the winner in the final minute of stoppage time to seal Brazil's 2-1 victory over Japan in the World Cup Round of 32 on Monday, Carlo Ancelotti remained almost expressionless, except for a familiar twitch of his eyebrows, as though the ending had been written long before the final whistle.

Substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced in the 95th minute in Houston for the five-time champions and sent dark horses Japan home.

Germany had never lost a penalty shoot-out at a World Cup on four previous occasions since the 1982 finals in Spain.

The 33-year-old, Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, had made an emotional return to the national team in their final group match against Scotland last week, coming on in the 76th minute for a 14-minute cameo after a lengthy absence.

Brazil survived a World Cup last-32 scare when they fought back to beat Japan 2-1 after Gabriel Martinelli squeezed in a shot at the far post deep in stoppage time on Monday.

Witness an unbelievable anime prophecy manifest as Japan faces Brazil in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage in Houston, fulfilling a Captain Tsubasa prediction. Fans globally celebrate this unforgettable intersection of childhood fiction and reality.

Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil have grown into this World Cup with every passing game, but as the tournament enters its knockout phase, there is little room for error. The Selecao face arguably their toughest challenge yet when they take on an impressive Japan side in tonight's Round of 32 clash in Houston.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful he will have Neymar available for more minutes in Monday's World Cup round of 32 fixture against Japan in Houston, and believes his Brazil side are ready for anything in what will be a tough knockout fixture.

Brazil are one of the world's top teams but Japan will not be pushovers when the two sides meet in Houston in their World Cup last-32 clash, coach Hajime Moriyasu said on Thursday after his side finished runners-up in Group F.

Brazil's all-time top scorer Marta called on her team to move on from their stoppage-time loss to Japan that saw them miss a chance to secure a quarter-final spot in the women's Olympic football tournament, and marred her 200th international cap.