Brazil secured a spot in the last 16 of the World Cup with a thrilling win against Japan. The match, which took place in Houston, saw Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli score a 95th-minute goal to seal the victory.
The Brazilian team, led by coach Carlo Ancelotti, has faced criticism for their performance so far in the tournament. Despite this, they managed to secure a win against Japan, with Martinelli's late goal sparking wild celebrations.
However, former Brazilian player Craque Neto expressed his disappointment with Ancelotti's tactics and player selection. He questioned why star player Neymar was left on the bench during the second half, when Brazil was searching for a goal.
Neto also criticized other players, including Matheus Cunha, who started for Brazil against Japan. He felt that Cunha and others did not perform well, and that some players, like Danilo Santos, should have been given a chance to play.
Ancelotti defended his decision to keep Neymar on the bench, stating that he planned to bring him on in extra time or if Brazil had not equalized. He explained that once Brazil had tied the game, he did not want to change the team's structure, as they had control of the game.
The win against Japan sets up a match between Brazil and either Ivory Coast or Norway in the last 16. Despite their inconsistent performance, Brazil remains alive in the tournament.
