Neymar, Matheus Cunha Console Japan Players After Their Team's Exit From FIFA World Cup 2026 | Watch

Last Updated:June 30, 2026, 04:40 IST

The defeat against Brazil was heartbreaking for the Japanese players, who struggled to hold back their emotions after their team's elimination from the tournament.

Brazil faced Japan in their first knockout match of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday (June 29) and secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory in the Round of 32 clash at NRG Stadium in Houston. Kaishū Sano gave Japan a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute, but Casemiro equalised for the five-time champions in the 56th minute before Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli scored the winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time (90+5′).

The defeat was heartbreaking for the Japanese players, who struggled to hold back their emotions after their team’s elimination from the tournament.

What followed after the final whistle, however, won the hearts of football fans around the world. Along with celebrating their victory, several Brazilian players were seen consoling the dejected Japanese players, and videos of their heartwarming gesture have since gone viral on social media.

Among the prominent Brazilian players who comforted the Japanese players were No. 9 Matheus Cunha, superstar Neymar Jr. and goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Here’s a look:

The win over Japan in Houston was a special one for Brazil, as it marked the first time they had won a FIFA World Cup knockout match after trailing at half-time in 88 years.

Brazil’s previous such victory came against Czechoslovakia in the replay of their 1938 FIFA World Cup quarter-final at Parc Lescure in Bordeaux on June 14, 1938. After trailing 0-1 at the break, Brazil scored twice in the second half to complete a 2-1 comeback victory in that match.

Since their victory over Czechoslovakia in 1938, Brazil had lost four consecutive FIFA World Cup knockout matches in which they trailed at half-time before finally ending that run against Japan in 2026.

The first of those four defeats came against Hungary in the quarter-finals of the 1954 FIFA World Cup. Brazil trailed 1-2 at half-time and eventually lost 2-4. In the final of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Brazil went into the break 0-2 down against France before suffering a 3-0 defeat.

In the semi-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, hosts Brazil trailed Germany 5-0 at half-time and went on to lose 7-1. Four years later, in the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Kazan, Brazil were 0-2 down at the interval against Belgium and eventually lost 2-1.

About the Author

Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist with CNN-News18 since July 1, 2024, and covers cricket with a sharp eye for records, trends, and match analysis. Based in Noida, he has reported extensively on the...Read More

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