Brazil broke Japan hearts with a last-gasp 2-1 win that took Carlo Ancelotti’s side through to the Round of 16 at the World Cup.

Japan stunned Houston Stadium when they took the lead through Kaishu Sano in the 29th minute. The Mainz midfielder pounced on a poor pass from Danilo, easily surged past Casemiro and slotted the ball past Alisson Becker.

Brazil showed vast improvement in the second half, and Bruno Guimaraes went close in the 51st minute. The Newcastle United skipper’s header produced a superb save from Zion Suzuki.

Somehow, the ball stayed out just moments later when Takehiro Tomiyasu blocked Casemiro’s diving header on the spot. Selecao were knocking on the door and finally breaking down a resilient Japan defence.

Nobody would have complained if Casemiro had been brought off at half-time, but Ancelotti’s trust in the former Manchester United midfielder paid off. He headed home a delightful cross from Gabriel Magalhaes to level proceedings in the 55th minute.

Vinicius Junior then came agonisingly close to giving the South Americans the lead. Suzuki turned the Real Madrid forward’s fine effort onto the post.

The game looked to be headed to extra-time until Guimaraes came up with a moment of brilliance to pick Gabriel Martinelli out. The Arsenal attacker managed to find a way past Suzuki in the 90+6th minute.

Match Highlights

Brazil Player Ratings

Phil Noble via Action Images via Reuters

A sloppy first-half from Brazil reminded fans they are no longer the footballing powerhouse of yesteryear. Vinicius Junior rarely threatened in the first half but did click into gear in the second, while Matheus Cunha didn’t get on the scoresheet but led the line effectively.

Talk about a tale of two halves for Casemiro, who endured a dismal first half, unable to keep up with a lively Japanese side who often left him chasing shadows. He came to the fore in the second half, producing a header that Manchester United fans are all too familiar with.

Danilo’s selection as a starter continues to raise eyebrows, and he struggled in Houston. That wasn’t the case for Marquinhos and Gabriel, particularly the Arsenal centre-back, who produced an inch-perfect cross for the equaliser and showcased his impressive passing.

Brazil left it late but sealed their place in the Round of 16 after Martinelli’s stoppage-time winner. That came after a clever pass from Guimaraes, who showed just why Arsenal are trying to sign him.

Japan Player Ratings

Annegret Hilse via Action Images via Reuters

Japan were always a threat on the counter-attack, and their midfield contributed excellently in transition. Particularly Sano, who Casemiro couldn’t contain due to his energy and agility on the break.

Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada rarely put a foot wrong and continues to be a standout performer in Hajime Moriyasu’s side. Up top, Genk attacker Junya Ito constantly looked to take his man on and perhaps deserved to stay on the pitch longer.

Moriyasu deserves huge praise for the way he set his team up as they defended as a team and aggressively dropped into a back-five after taking the lead. Shogo Taniguchi showed his experience at the age of 34, keeping Selecao’s attacking stars at bay.

Between the sticks, Suzuki put in a fantastic display, which included a magnificent save to deny Vinicius. He couldn’t do anything about Casemiro’s header that came at point-blank range.

FIFA seem to have sided with Ralf Rangnick and will not be investigating claims that Austria and Algeria’s thrilling 3-3 draw at the World Cup was fixed.

With both sides advancing through to the Round of 32, there have been allegations made about the circumstances of their result. Some critics have suggested that the teams agreed on a draw to ensure both nations progressed to the knockout rounds.

Austria scored a 96th-minute equaliser courtesy of Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Sasa Kalajdzic. Tempers flared after Algeria’s third goal when Marko Arnautovic rowed with the Algerian bench before the last-gasp equaliser came.

FIFA Decide Not To Investigate Austria 3-3 Algeria

REUTERS/Mandel Ngan

Austria finished second in Group J, level on points with Algeria but with a superior goal difference. Rangnick’s side nearly suffered defeat when Riyad Mahrez scored his side’s third in the 90+3rd minute.

Mahrez added fuel to the flames by calling the game’s finish ‘awkward.’ His goal to make it 3-2 came during a five-minute build-up and 110 consecutive passes, threatening to send the Austrians home.

Since then, claims have been made that Algeria allowed the European nation to score the equaliser with one of the final kicks of the game. Those accusations haven’t convinced FIFA to conduct an investigation.

Mirror reports that FIFA “are not expected” to investigate the match and have no concerns about the result, which some are comparing to the ‘Disgrace of Gijon.’ That game saw West Germany beat Austria 1-0 at the 1982 World Cup, and Algeria were sent packing in controversial fashion due to the relaxed approach from both teams.

Austria may well have preferred a third-place finish in their group as they have been handed a nightmare clash against European champions Spain in the next round. Algeria will take on Switzerland, and should they beat the Swiss, they could face world champions Argentina in the last eight.

‘Completely Mad’ – Rangnick on Match-Fixing Claims

Rangnick strongly refuted claims that match-fixing had occurred between Austria and Algeria. The former Manchester United interim manager pointed out the drama that ensued late on:

“Three minutes to play, if somebody had said this would happen, you would have told them they were mad. I’ve been a coach for about 40 years and I don’t even remember a match that had such a ​dramatic course and such an unexpected trajectory.”

Rangnick added: “Most anticipated 0-0 or 1-1, and now it’s 3-3. It’s incredible. The locker-room is ​madness. If Alfred Hitchcock had written such a drama, I probably would have said he was completely mad.”

Arnautovic gave Austria the lead in the 28th minute before Rafik Belghali equalised for Algeria in the 45th minute. Marcel Sabitzer put the European nation back in front in the 55th minute before the African country levelled again through Mahrez.

The former Manchester City winger looked to have won the game late on with his second, much to Arnautovic’s anger. Rangnick had to calm the former Stoke City striker down before frustration turned to elation when Kalajdzic drew his side level three minutes later.

Liverpool have made contact over a deal to sign a winger this summer, according to Sky Sports, as the club are looking to strengthen their forward areas.

It comes after the club were rejected by Yan Diomande for a move, after weeks of pursuing the RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger in the market.

Offers were made to land the 19-year-old, but he has since made it clear that he wishes to join Paris Saint-Germain, ruling out a possible switch to Anfield.

With the tough task of replacing Mohamed Salah on the cards, Liverpool will now need to switch their focus to other possible arrivals on the market, and have lined up a move for one star.

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According to Sky Sports reporter Sach Tavolieri, Liverpool have been in contact with PSG over a potential deal to sign Bradley Barcola this summer.

It’s claimed that the French club’s move for Diomande has opened up an exit for the winger, who has entered the final two years under contract with the European champions.

Liverpool aren’t the only team who have discussed a move, as the reporter claims that “several clubs” have been contacted over a possible deal for the 23-year-old.

It remains to be seen whether the Reds will get a transfer over the line in the coming weeks, while it’s unclear how much PSG could value the star at.

However, if they do seal a move, it would be an ideal transfer for Andoni Iraola to get sealed for next season.

Barcola Would Be Ideal For Liverpool

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Barcola’s possible move to Liverpool would be an ideal switch for the Reds, as they need to add some quality in the forward areas after the difficulties of last season.

While Diomande may have been a decent addition, especially for the future, he is still young and his rapid ascent may not guarantee that he will be a success at Anfield.

In Barcola, there is more of a guarantee. The French winger has shown plenty of quality on the biggest of stages, particularly during his spells in the Champions League.

At 23-years-old, he still has plenty of potential and a long-term future that will protect Liverpool against losing his ability quickly, while he is already performing at a level that has been described as “elite”.

It remains to be seen whether Liverpool can get a move over the line, but he could improve the team drastically moving forward.