Victory with a bitter aftertaste! Brazil advances past Japan but loses two midfielders
Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
Casemiro sustained an injury in the second half of the match against Japan in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.
Details: The Brazil national team defeated Japan 2-1 to advance to the tournament's round of 16. Casemiro was one of the standout performers, scoring in the 56th minute, but the midfielder was unable to finish the match.
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In stoppage time, the 34-year-old midfielder felt discomfort and could not continue. In the 93rd minute, Fabinho came on to replace Casemiro.
This is a worrying sign for Brazil ahead of the next playoff stage. Casemiro remains a crucial figure in the midfield, responsible not only for breaking up attacks but also for maintaining the team’s balance in high-pressure matches.
The problem is that Casemiro wasn't the only Brazilian forced off due to injury. At halftime, the coaching staff had already substituted Lucas Paquetá.
Recall: Earlier, Casemiro became the second-oldest Brazilian goalscorer in World Cup history, finding the net at the age of 34 years and 126 days.
