After Japan’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, striker Daizen Maeda apologised to fans for not living up to their expectations. Brazil came from behind to beat Japan with a dramatic stoppage-time winner. Gabriel Martinelli scored in the 95th minute, helping Brazil secure a place in the Round of 16 in front of a packed crowd on Tuesday (IST). In a post on X, Maeda said he was sorry that Japan could not deliver a better result.&nbsp;&nbsp;Although the team once again failed to improve on its best World Cup finish of reaching the Round of 32, he said he was proud of everything the players, coaching staff, families and fans had achieved together since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.&nbsp;“I'm truly sorry for not meeting your expectations. However, over these past three and a half years since the Qatar World Cup, everything we've built together with the players, staff, families, and all the fans and supporters is my pride. Thank you so much for all the support,” Maeda wrote.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/why-cody-gakpo-burst-into-tears-after-scoring-at-fifa-world-cup-against-morocco-1782820370354">What happened to Cody Gakpo? The story behind his emotional World Cup tears</a>&nbsp;Japan shocked Brazil by taking the lead in the first half, as Kaishu Sano intercepted a loose ball in his own half, raced nearly 40 yards and finished with a powerful shot past goalkeeper Alisson to make it 1-0.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-mexican-fans-create-chaos-outside-ecuador-hotel-before-fifa-world-cup-round-of-32-clash-as-viral-videos-spark-debate-1782817480768">WATCH | Mexico fans blast horns &amp; drums outside Ecuador hotel. What's happening</a>&nbsp;Brazil responded strongly after the break, as Gabriel Magalhaes delivered a cross into the box and Casemiro headed home the equaliser to make it 1-1.&nbsp;As the match appeared to be heading into extra time, Brazil launched one final attack. Danilo regained possession and passed to Endrick, who passed Bruno Guimaraes. The winger then calmly finished past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to seal a 2-1 victory.

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Brazil will now face either Ivory Coast or Norway in the Round of 16 on Jul 5 at the New York New Jersey Stadium.&nbsp;The match added another memorable chapter to the rare World Cup meetings between Brazil and Japan. Before this encounter, the two teams had met only once at the tournament, in 2006.&nbsp;&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Japan striker Daizen Maeda apologised to fans after his side's Round of 32 defeat to Brazil, saying he was sorry for not meeting their expectations.

After Japan’s 2-1 defeat to Brazil in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32, striker Daizen Maeda apologised to fans for not living up to their expectations. Brazil came from behind to beat Japan with a dramatic stoppage-time winner. Gabriel Martinelli scored in the 95th minute, helping Brazil secure a place in the Round of 16 in front of a packed crowd on Tuesday (IST). In a post on X, Maeda said he was sorry that Japan could not deliver a better result. Although the team once again failed to improve on its best World Cup finish of reaching the Round of 32, he said he was proud of everything the players, coaching staff, families and fans had achieved together since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “I'm truly sorry for not meeting your expectations. However, over these past three and a half years since the Qatar World Cup, everything we've built together with the players, staff, families, and all the fans and supporters is my pride. Thank you so much for all the support,” Maeda wrote. Also Read - What happened to Cody Gakpo? The story behind his emotional World Cup tears Japan shocked Brazil by taking the lead in the first half, as Kaishu Sano intercepted a loose ball in his own half, raced nearly 40 yards and finished with a powerful shot past goalkeeper Alisson to make it 1-0. Also Read - WATCH | Mexico fans blast horns & drums outside Ecuador hotel. What's happening Brazil responded strongly after the break, as Gabriel Magalhaes delivered a cross into the box and Casemiro headed home the equaliser to make it 1-1. As the match appeared to be heading into extra time, Brazil launched one final attack. Danilo regained possession and passed to Endrick, who passed Bruno Guimaraes. The winger then calmly finished past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to seal a 2-1 victory.

Japan striker Daizen Maeda apologised to fans after his side's Round of 32 defeat to Brazil, saying he was sorry for not meeting their expectations.

FIFA 2026: 'Sorry for not meeting your expectations': Japan's Daizen apologises to fans after World Cup R32 defeat

Neymar`s penalty 13 minutes from time earned Brazil a 1-0 win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan at Tokyo`s National Stadium on Monday as the Paris St Germain striker moved to within three goals of Pele`s all-time national scoring record.

The forward coolly slotted the ball past Shuichi Gonda to hit his 74th goal in 119 internationals after being frustrated on several occasions by the Japanese goalkeeper in front of a rain-soaked crowd of 63,638 fans.

Brazil`s win came off the back of their 5-1 thrashing of South Korea on Thursday as Tite`s side prepare for their assault on the World Cup in Qatar in November.

The visitors threatened early, with Lucas Paqueta hitting the post inside the first two minutes when he latched on to Neymar`s instinctive backheel pass inside the area.

Fred fired over from distance soon after and Raphina forced Shuichi Gonda to save with his feet before Neymar`s firmly-struck, curling effort from outside the area was palmed to safety by the goalkeeper after flying through a crowd of players.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-scores-a-brace-as-portugal-thrash-switzerland-4-0-in-uefa-nations-league-485526">Cristiano Ronaldo scores a brace as Portugal thrash Switzerland 4-0 in UEFA Nations League</a>

Gonda was on hand again to keep out the visitors three minutes before the end of the half, with Pacqueta slipping the ball through to Neymar, but the Paris St Germain man was denied.

Neymar continued to probe, seeing a shot blocked by Endo`s head eight minutes after the restart, while Ko Itakura made a perfectly timed intervention to put himself between the Brazilian striker`s volley and the Japan goal.

The pressure eventually told, however, with Neymar at the heart of the action once more.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lionel-messi-scores-all-five-goals-as-argentina-beat-estonia-5-0-in-a-friendly-485580">Lionel Messi scores all five goals as Argentina beat Estonia 5-0 in a friendly</a>

The 30-year-old`s initial effort was well saved by Gonda but as substitute Richarlison attempted to collect possession he was brought down by Endo and referee Alireza Faghani pointed to the spot.

Neymar sent Gonda the wrong way to score for the ninth time in five appearances against the Japanese and move closer to eclipsing Pele`s long-standing mark.

Neymar`s penalty 13 minutes from time earned Brazil a 1-0 win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan at Tokyo`s National Stadium on Monday as the Paris St Germain striker moved to within three goals of Pele`s all-time national scoring record.

Neymar`s penalty 13 minutes from time earned Brazil a 1-0 win over fellow World Cup qualifiers Japan at Tokyo`s National Stadium on Monday as the Paris St Germain striker moved to within three goals of Pele`s all-time national scoring record. The forward coolly slotted the ball past Shuichi Gonda to hit his 74th goal in 119 internationals after being frustrated on several occasions by the Japanese goalkeeper in front of a rain-soaked crowd of 63,638 fans. Brazil`s win came off the back of their 5-1 thrashing of South Korea on Thursday as Tite`s side prepare for their assault on the World Cup in Qatar in November. The visitors threatened early, with Lucas Paqueta hitting the post inside the first two minutes when he latched on to Neymar`s instinctive backheel pass inside the area. Fred fired over from distance soon after and Raphina forced Shuichi Gonda to save with his feet before Neymar`s firmly-struck, curling effort from outside the area was palmed to safety by the goalkeeper after flying through a crowd of players. Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo scores a brace as Portugal thrash Switzerland 4-0 in UEFA Nations League Gonda was on hand again to keep out the visitors three minutes before the end of the half, with Pacqueta slipping the ball through to Neymar, but the Paris St Germain man was denied. Neymar continued to probe, seeing a shot blocked by Endo`s head eight minutes after the restart, while Ko Itakura made a perfectly timed intervention to put himself between the Brazilian striker`s volley and the Japan goal. The pressure eventually told, however, with Neymar at the heart of the action once more. Also Read: Lionel Messi scores all five goals as Argentina beat Estonia 5-0 in a friendly The 30-year-old`s initial effort was well saved by Gonda but as substitute Richarlison attempted to collect possession he was brought down by Endo and referee Alireza Faghani pointed to the spot. Neymar sent Gonda the wrong way to score for the ninth time in five appearances against the Japanese and move closer to eclipsing Pele`s long-standing mark.

Neymar strikes from penalty spot as Brazil beat Japan 1-0

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FIFA 2026: 'Sorry for not meeting your expectations': Japan's Daizen apologises to fans after World Cup R32 defeat

Neymar strikes from penalty spot as Brazil beat Japan 1-0