Ancelotti says he never doubted 'suffering' Brazil would score

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said he knew his "suffering" side would eventually score, and praised its patience in reaching the World Cup last 16 with a last-gasp 2-1 win over Japan on Monday.

Substitute Gabriel Martinelli pounced in the 95th minute in Houston, Texas, for the five-time champion and sent dark horse Japan home.

It was the latest winning goal in normal time of the knockout stages of the World Cup on record (since 1966).

Japan led 1-0 at the break, after some sloppy Brazilian play, but the South Americans dominated the second half, with a goal from veteran Casemiro and Arsenal winger Martinelli scoring the winner at the death.

"No one is perfect, but you can handle how to get out of mistakes, how to think, look ahead," the acclaimed Italian, at his first World Cup as a coach, said.

"The team did very well in the second half. No one thought that this team wouldn't score."

Ancelotti, a serial winner at club level, said his men had been made to "suffer" before eventually seeing off dangerous opponents.

"Suffering is normal, as is relief," said Ancelotti, tasked with taking Brazil to World Cup glory for the first time since 2002.

"At halftime, I told them not to lose patience, because we were going to score sooner or later," he added.

The 34-year-old attacker Neymar, Brazil's record scorer, remained on the bench, even as his teammates went in search of a winner.

"I spoke to Neymar and told him that, if we hadn't equalized by the 60th minute, I would bring him on," Ancelotti said.

"We were considering sending him on during extra time, because he is fit and ready. However, since we scored, Neymar didn't play, and the situation was clear and understood by him."

Another veteran, the midfielder Casemiro, has faced flak from Brazil fans, but he drew his side level with a header after the break and Ancelotti said: "Casemiro is a leader.

"He knows his position, and how to play his position, very well. No one has to teach how he has to play in his role. That's very important.

"It's nothing new that he scored a goal, because he's scored many goals in the Premier League this season."

Casemiro left Manchester United this summer after scoring nine times in 34 appearances this term from deep midfield.

AFP