Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has brilliantly explained why he didn’t celebrate Gabriel Martinelli’s last-gasp winner against Japan at the 2026 World Cup.

Brazil were impressed in the group stage as they topped Group C. Their reward for going unbeaten in their three group matches was a tricky last 32 tie with Japan.

Japan, who had been considered one of the competition’s ‘dark horses’, took the lead in the 29th minute when Kaishu Sano’s strike nestled into the bottom corner.

Brazil were much better in the second half, and they drew level 11 minutes after half-time when Casemiro headed home.

Ancelotti, considered one of the greatest managers in football history, subbed on Gabriel Martinelli midway through the second half with the hope he could win the match for his side. The Arsenal star did just that in the sixth minute of stoppage-time as his effort found the back of the net via the post.

Carlo Ancelotti Explains Why He Didn’t Celebrate Brazil’s Progression

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Brazil’s players and staff went crazy as they celebrated Martinelli’s 96th-minute winner. Ancelotti, meanwhile, did not celebrate the goal.

With a glum expression on his face, Ancelotti turned his back on the celebrations before talking through tactics with a few of his staff members.

Ancelotti has now explained the reason for his actions, saying that it was down to respect. He said, per The Tribune:

“Of course I celebrated inside because my responsibility is to Brazil and qualifying was our objective. But I’ve been in football for many years, and I’ve experienced both victory and heartbreak. Sometimes the best way to respect your opponent is to remain humble in your biggest moments.

“Japan made us suffer for ninety-five minutes. They deserved our respect, not exaggerated celebrations. Brazil are through, but we know we must improve. Tonight we celebrate the qualification, but tomorrow we go back to work because the World Cup only gets more difficult from here.”

Ancelotti Praises Brazil’s Performance

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Ancelotti also expressed his pleasure at Brazil’s display. He said, per Football365:

“This was the most complete game we have played (at the World Cup). We had trouble in the first half as Japan were defending well, they were close and tight to us.

“In the second half, we overcame it, we got some space and put in crosses. This was an evolution (in tactics) for sure.

“At halftime I said to the players to be patient, because sooner or later we would score a goal. But we had to keep our shape to ensure we did not compromise the game further.

“Japan is a very good team, very organised, they create dangerous opportunities and get close (defensively). They are physical.”

Brazil will face either Norway or Ivory Coast in the last 16 of the competition. The match will take place at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 5.

By the time we get to this stage of the year in the Formula 1 calendar, talk of Silly Season is always high. It’s hard to beat the mess of Oscar Piastri‘s Alpine–McLaren saga, but this year is already providing some crazy stories.

The most recent news to take the paddock by storm was Max Verstappen to McLaren, though, CEO Zak Brown was eager to shut down said rumours when talking to Sky Sports on Sunday’s grid.

With several contracts up at the end of the season, whose decision will be the domino effect to trigger mass change?

While many drivers are tied to ‘multi-year deals’, others are set to be out of contract soon. Fernando Alonso is one of those names; news that will only continue with Aston Martin‘s lack of performance.

Younger drivers like Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, and Arvid Lindblad are all on short-term deals too. However, with the trio all impressing, it’s hard to imagine they won’t be on the grid next year.

Meanwhile, Carlos Sainz has been tipped for a move away from Williams. The project under the leadership of James Vowles hasn’t gone to plan, with the new regulations only setting the Grove outfit back. There’s no surprise Sainz could be weighing up his options, with even his own father putting pressure on him to leave, especially after the expectations when joining Williams. The question is, where does he go?

Carlos Sainz Leaving Williams Could Spark Other Moves

There have been heavy links between Sainz and Audi. It makes sense given his father, Carlos Sainz Sr, represented the brand in 2024 when he achieved a historic Dakar Rally victory.

Reports are suggesting that Sainz is looking for a way out of his current team amid dissatisfaction with them. He is free to leave in 2026 through an exit clause in his contract, and Audi could be the big winners if they can add a driver of Sainz’s quality.

Bringing in the former Ferrari driver will have to come at a cost, however, and the F1 paddock is starting to fear it could be Nico Hulkenberg who makes way. Gabriel Bortoleto currently leads the German in the Drivers’ Championship, picking up their only two points of the season so far.

However, it isn’t just performance that would play a part in a potential exit. Talking to F1 Insider, journalist Ralf Bach touched on the inter-team issues that may be plaguing Hulkenberg’s chances.

Philippe Nanchino via Reuters

“Att Audi, I get the feeling anyway that there might be a bit too much political manoeuvring going on again,” he said.

It will be interesting to see how this all pans out, and whether or not anybody will look to keep Hulkenberg on the grid for 2027. Interestingly, next up is the British GP, as the German returns to the track where he ended his historical run without a podium.

Kevin Pietersen has shared his thoughts on Ben Stokes‘ international cricket retirement, with the former England captain taking to social media to provide his own divisive thoughts on the saga.

Stokes announced his decision just days ago in the middle of a session during the third and final Test against New Zealand, with the all-rounder denying the idea that the decision was made as a direct result of events in the past three weeks.

He was made unavailable for England’s second Test in the three-game series following an incident in a London nightclub, but returned to the action for the deciding Test, which went in favour of the visitors.

Andrew Boyers via Reuters

Despite leaving international cricket, he will continue to play domestic cricket. While he was away from the England team for the second Test, he played for Durham, and he’s since admitted that playing at county level rekindled his love for the game.

Stokes, who has been England’s Test captain since 2022, making a decision like this certainly poses plenty of questions. For instance, what does his future look like, and who replaces him?

There is also the surprise at the decision to announce it in the middle of a game, with a series on the line. Aside from that, there’s also the possibility of others following suit.

Kevin Pietersen Expects More Departures

Pietersen gave his thoughts on Stokes’ decision to retire, showing the same concern for the issue as the majority of cricket fans.

Taking to social media, he said: “Ben Stokes should NOT have been the first to go. And, in the next little while, he WON’T be the last.”

The cryptic message caused plenty of discussion, with the message seen more as a warning.

Much has been made of the situation, and whether it was the right time to bid farewell to international cricket. For Stokes, though, he thinks now was the suitable moment, especially when looking at his own career.

Ben Stokes Happy With Retirement Decision

Andrew Boyers via Reuters

When talking to Sky Sports, he said: “It might sound quite selfish, but this decision is genuinely the best thing for me right now. I hope it’s the best thing for the team going forward, but I also hope it’s what will allow me to keep loving this game that has given me so much.”

After 15 years, 122 Tests, 114 one-day internationals, and 43 T20s, his career representing the country has come to an end, with many left in shock. He now looks to focus more on his domestic career, and playing for Durham.

He said: “I’m very excited about the next part of what I get to do. Going back to playing for my boyhood club, Durham, I’m comparing this week to that week – right now I am buzzing, but there have been moments this week that have been really tough.”