CORNERFLICK
Brazil beat Japan 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup last 16, and Carlo Ancelotti said he had kept Neymar in reserve for extra time.
Ancelotti said Brazil stayed calm after going behind and credited the balance of the side on the pitch and the bench. He described Japan as a difficult opponent, calling them organised and compact, but said Brazil deserved the win.
He also said he did not want to change the structure of the game because Brazil were playing well. Neymar was being saved for the 105th minute if Brazil had failed to score their second goal.
The Brazil coach added that the team were strong in the first half, improved their use of crosses after the break and got the result they wanted.
Ancelotti said Casemiro and Paquetá, both of whom left the pitch in pain, need to be assessed on Sunday. Brazil will face either Norway or Côte d’Ivoire in the last 16.