How can Brazil stop Haaland? It might come down to their midfielders

Brazil’s World Cup survival hinged on midfield decisions after they were trailing Japan 1-0 at halftime in their round of 32 match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The situation raised the possibility of elimination before the last 16, but Carlo Ancelotti made key changes after the break. With Lucas Paquetá injured, Endrick was one of the attacking options and came on, alongside a tactical reshuffle that included Casemiro coming on instead of remaining out of the starting setup. Brazil equalized when Casemiro nodded a clearance into the far post. In the closing moments, Gabriel Martinelli scored a last-minute 2-1 winner, countering earlier concerns about Brazil’s midfield balance. The turnaround underscored Ancelotti’s ability to adjust under pressure, particularly with Casemiro’s role evolving from a missed influence to a match-deciding presence.