HOUSTON, United States (AFP)—Brazil advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday with a thrilling last-gasp 2-1 victory over Japan as the tournament’s knockout rounds got into full swing.

Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli was the hero for Brazil in Houston, scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time to settle an enthralling contest at the NRG Stadium.

Japan had threatened to pull off one of the all-time great World Cup upsets after Kaishu Sano fired them into the lead with a superb 29th-minute goal on the counter-attack.

Brazil looked stunned by the Japanese opener for the remainder of the half and the Asian giants comfortably protected their lead up to half-time.

But Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti rolled the dice at half-time by bringing on an additional striker in Endrick for midfielder Lucas Paqueta and the South Americans immediately looked more threatening.

They equalised on 56 minutes, Casemiro nodding in at the far post after a superb curling cross from the left by Gabriel Magalhaes.

Japan though appeared to have done enough to force extra time, but paid the price after Ao Tanaka coughed up possession on the edge of the area in injury time. The ball was quickly played to Martinelli, who took a touch before burying the winner.

Brazil will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the last 16.

– ‘All about winning’ –

The Houston classic was the first of three last 32 knockout games scheduled on Monday, with Germany facing Paraguay at the Gillette Stadium near Boston and Morocco facing the Netherlands in Monterrey in Mexico.

Germany’s tie with Paraguay is their first World Cup knockout match since they defeated Argentina in the final of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Currently ranked 10th in the world, Germany are not widely seen as genuine contenders to win the trophy, even if coach Julian Nagelsmann insists that has to be their aim.

“When you talk about the German national team, it is all about trying to win every game. It is all about winning the game tomorrow,” Nagelsmann said on Sunday.

The winner of the Germany-Paraguay duel will face either France or Sweden in the last 16.

The Netherlands meanwhile head into their tie with Morocco wary of the threat posed by the north Africans, who reached the semi-finals of the tournament in 2022.

“It’s a good team with a lot of quality, and they can score easily,” Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said.

The Netherlands are World Cup royalty but have never been crowned, finishing as runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010.

Often cited as the best nation never to have won the tournament, they are unbeaten in 15 World Cup matches since losing the final in 2010, if penalty shootouts are excluded.

The Dutch did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Awaiting the winners will be co-hosts Canada, who became the first team to reach the last 16 on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat of South Africa in Los Angeles.

Captain Stephen Eustaquio scored the only goal in the second minute of injury time.

“I think the effect that it will have in Canada and the inspiring of people will be immense,” said Canada coach Jesse Marsch.