Brazil breaks a 24-year curse! Martinelli and Casemiro set records

Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in dramatic style, setting several important individual records. Casemiro, by scoring Brazil's first goal, equaled the record of Zagallo and players such as Olarticoechea of ​​Argentina, and Memphis Depay and Daley Blind of the Netherlands, as the player with the most FIFA World Cup matches without defeat (12). The 2022 World Cup qualifier against Croatia was not included in the statistics because it took place after a penalty shootout. In 2018, the midfielder was suspended and did not play in the loss to Belgium in the quarterfinals.  Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli, who scored the goal that allowed Brazil to advance to the 1/8 finals of the 2026 World Cup, was the author of the latest goal in a cup match of the tournament (excluding overtime). By scoring in the 95th minute, the Arsenal player broke the record of Italian Francesco Totti, who scored against Australia at the 2006 World Cup after 94 minutes and 26 seconds. Finally, the most important statistic: Brazil couldn't win World Cup cup matches after coming back from losses for 24 years! In other words, since Rivaldo and Ronaldinho Gaucho sealed a 2-1 victory over England to advance to the 2002 World Cup semi-finals, Brazil has not made another comeback. Regardless of superstitions, Martinelli's goal could be the additional fuel that will allow Brazil to end their title drought since 2002 and finally win their sixth league title!