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Carlo Ancelotti Admits He Was Already Thinking About Extra Time and Neymar
After Brazil's dramatic victory over Japan, Carlo Ancelotti revealed that he was already preparing for extra time and planning to bring on Neymar before Gabriel Martinelli scored the decisive goal.
Brazil came much closer to extra time than many expected in its FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash against Japan. After a tense and closely contested match, head coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted that he already had a plan in place for an additional 30 minutes when Gabriel Martinelli found the winner in the 96th minute to send the Seleção through.
The Italian manager explained that he and his coaching staff had prepared for every possible scenario in a knockout match. Although the decisive goal arrived deep into stoppage time, he emphasized that the squad was physically and mentally ready to continue if the game had gone beyond regulation.
Neymar Was Set to Enter During Extra Time
One of the biggest talking points after the match was why Neymar never stepped onto the field while Endrick did. Ancelotti revealed that the original plan was to introduce the Santos star during extra time, believing he was fully fit to make an impact if the match remained level.
The Brazilian coach explained that bringing on Endrick first was based on the tactical demands of the game, but insisted there had never been any doubt about Neymar's role if the contest had reached an extra period.
Brazil Stayed Patient and Earned the Victory
Despite the dramatic finish, Ancelotti praised his team's performance after halftime. He said he never doubted that Brazil would eventually find the goals it needed, even against a disciplined and well-organized Japan side.
The Italian also highlighted the quality of the Japanese team, describing it as one of the toughest opponents Brazil has faced in the tournament. At the same time, he stressed that the Seleção looked far more composed than it did during stretches of its group-stage draw against Morocco.
Goals from Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli completed Brazil's 2-1 comeback victory, securing a place in the Round of 16. Carlo Ancelotti's squad will now face the winner of the match between Norway and Ivory Coast as it continues its pursuit of the FIFA World Cup 2026 title.
