Martinelli Breaks Totti’s 20-Year Record With 96th-Minute Winner

Historic Moment for Brazilian Star

Gabriel Martinelli etched his name in football history on Monday when he scored a 96th-minute winner for Brazil against Japan in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match in Houston. The Arsenal winger’s late-game heroics secured Brazil’s passage to the pre-quarterfinal stage while simultaneously breaking Francesco Totti’s 20-year-old record for the latest goal in a World Cup knockout match.

Dramatic Finish Changes Game

Martinelli, who entered the field as a 65th-minute substitute for Matheus Cunha, received a perfectly weighted pass from Bruno Guimarães deep inside the penalty box. With composure that belied the match’s high stakes, the 25-year-old finished clinically to find the back of the net just as the full-time whistle loomed. The five-time World Cup champions had been facing a potential shock elimination before the dramatic intervention.

Milestone Moment for International Career

For Martinelli, this victory represents more than just a record-breaking achievement. The goal marks his first-ever strike in a major international tournament after 26 caps for the Seleção, adding significant weight to the moment. His fifth international goal comes nearly four years after his Brazilian debut, and notably follows his appearance in the 2022 World Cup squad without scoring.

The Premier League winner’s moment of magic not only rescued Brazil from an embarrassing exit but also announced his arrival as a crucial player on the international stage. His record-breaking finish will be remembered as one of the tournament’s defining moments.