Brazil beat Japan in the 90+6th minute, Germany set a sad record at the 2026 World Cup.

The Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup witnessed unbelievable scenarios, where the mettle of the big teams was tested to the very limit. While Brazil overcame elimination thanks to a moment of individual brilliance, the German team suffered a historic defeat in a cruel penalty shootout.

Gabriel Martinelli's historic moment

The clash between Japan and Brazil was not only a confrontation between two footballing nations representing two continents, but also a test of character in the final seconds. Although the Asian representatives put up a tenacious fight and even took the lead, the suffocating pressure from the "Samba Dancers" in the second half completely changed the course of the game.

The turning point came in the 90+6th minute, when Gabriel Martinelli scored a golden goal, securing a 2-1 victory for Brazil. Statistically, this is the latest decisive goal ever scored in regular time during a World Cup knockout match. This goal not only propelled Brazil into the quarter-finals but also affirmed the pragmatism and finishing ability of the team under the current coach.

Japan's limitations and unfulfilled ambitions.

This defeat is a fatal blow to Japan's ambitions of winning the championship, which they had so boldly declared before the tournament. Despite significant technical and tactical advancements, the "Blue Samurai" have yet to break their jinx in the first knockout round. After six appearances, being eliminated in the round of 16 demonstrates that the gap in skill level and the ability to withstand pressure at crucial moments remains a major obstacle for Japanese football.

A historic shock: The German team succumbed in the penalty shootout.

While Brazil's victory was marked by individual brilliance, Germany's defeat to Paraguay symbolized the decline of an empire. For the first time in their World Cup history, the German "Tanks" tasted defeat in a penalty shootout – a tradition and source of pride for them for decades.

The match went into two controversial extra time periods with constant VAR intervention. However, the Germans' inability to break through in their play was the main reason for the tragic outcome. This defeat ended Germany's perfect record in penalty shootouts at the biggest football tournament on the planet.

The crisis lasted 12 years.

Since their peak in Brazil in 2014, German football has struggled to rediscover its identity. Being eliminated by a supposedly weaker opponent like Paraguay shows that the current generation of players still lacks the maturity to live up to expectations. Referee decisions may be controversial, but the reality on the pitch reflects a German team lacking sharpness and vulnerability. German football fans will have to wait at least another four years to hope for a true resurgence.