"This was the most complete game..." Carlo Ancelotti Hails Brazil's Character After Dramatic Japan Comeback

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti described his side's dramatic 2-1 victory over Japan as their "most complete game" of the FIFA World Cup so far after Gabriel Martinelli's stoppage-time strike sealed a thrilling comeback in Houston.

The five-time world champions were pushed to the limit by an outstanding Japanese side and trailed at half-time after Kaishu Sano's superb opener. Casemiro restored parity early in the second half before Martinelli's 96th-minute winner spared Brazil the prospect of extra time and sent them through to the Round of 16.

Despite the difficult first half, Ancelotti insisted the performance represented clear progress from his team because they adapted successfully to one of the tournament's toughest tactical challenges.

"I think, honestly, this was the most complete game so far," Ancelotti said after the match in the press conference.

"We had more problems in the first half because the opposition defence was really tight. In the second half, we looked for a solution by putting in more crosses and more presence in the box. I think it was progress because we had a problem and solved it pretty well."

The Italian explained that Brazil's original plan was to attack through central areas, using combinations between the lines to release the front three. However, Japan's compact defensive structure forced a rethink.

"The first plan was to dominate the midfield and look for plays between the lines. It didn't work because they defended really well," he said.

"We changed things at half-time to get more players into the box through crosses. We also needed to improve our corners because we have players who can deliver them well."

The tactical adjustment transformed the contest. Brazil dominated the second period, pinned Japan deep inside their own half and eventually found the breakthrough through Casemiro before Martinelli's decisive late intervention.

Ancelotti admitted his side had suffered after falling behind but praised the composure they showed to recover.

"The team played well until the first goal, then we had trouble against a really strong opponent," he said.

"They're a very respectable team, well organised, dangerous in front of goal and strong physically. But our team was always there. We were never lost."

Casemiro endured a difficult opening 45 minutes and came under heavy criticism before scoring the equalising header that shifted the momentum.

Ancelotti revealed he never felt the need to intervene personally during the interval.

"I didn't speak to Casemiro because he was still in the game," he explained.

"We always say that mistakes happen in football because nobody is perfect. What matters is how you recover from them. I don't think their goal came only because of him. We reacted well, and Casemiro played a very good second half."

Martinelli's introduction also proved decisive, with the Arsenal winger injecting fresh energy before scoring the winner in stoppage time.

"Mainly I wanted fresh intensity," Ancelotti said.

"Martinelli always gives everything when he comes on. It was a very important substitution because he helped the team not only with the goal but also with his positioning, which opened the game up."

The veteran coach revealed Brazil had already begun preparing for the possibility of extra time and even had plans for Neymar's involvement if the match remained level.

"We were thinking about extra time," Ancelotti disclosed.

"I told Neymar that if it was still a draw at a certain point, I would put him on the pitch. As it turned out, we did not need him."

Rather than panic after going behind, Ancelotti urged patience during the interval, convinced the chances would eventually come.

"At half-time I told them we just needed to be patient because the goal would come sooner or later," he said.

"The important thing was to keep our balance so we didn't make the game even more difficult. The team didn't rush. If we had continued like that, we could even have won in extra time."

With either Norway or Ivory Coast awaiting Brazil in the next round, Ancelotti refused to look beyond the immediate challenge while insisting his side still has room to improve.

"We're strong and we're happy," he said.

"We have to keep improving, keep working and recover well. We respect every team. It wouldn't be fair to talk only about Norway because Ivory Coast are still there."

"We should never be satisfied with what we're doing. We're doing well, but when you're doing well, the objective is always to become even better."