Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki made a crucial save against Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior, but Brazil national football team scored a stoppage-time winner to defeat Japan national football team 2-1 in the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on Tuesday.
Suzuki, who plays for Parma Calcio 1913 in Italy’s Serie A, chose to represent Japan despite eligibility to play for the United States, Ghana and Japan. He was born in Newark, New Jersey, to a Ghanaian American father and a Japanese mother and grew up in Japan.
Japan advanced to the knockout stage after finishing second in Group F with one win and two draws. The team sought its first appearance in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Japan held Brazil scoreless through the first half before Casemiro scored the opening goal early in the second half.
Two minutes later, Vinícius Júnior broke free inside the penalty area and fired a shot toward the right post. Suzuki stretched his right hand and deflected the ball with his thumb, sending it off the post and keeping the match level.
The save allowed Japan to remain in contention through regulation and into stoppage time.
Brazil secured the victory in the 95th minute when Gabriel Martinelli scored from the left side of the penalty area. His shot struck the post before crossing the goal line beyond Suzuki’s reach.
The result eliminated Japan from the tournament and sent Brazil to the Round of 16.