With Brazil trailing for much of the game and with extra time looming, Gabriel Martinelli came through in a big, big way at the World Cup.

The FIFA World Cup always produces curious statistics, difficult-to-explain coincidences, and patterns that seem to defy logic. One of them involves Japan, a national team that, since 2002, has been indirectly connected to the side that eventually lifts the trophy.

Japan's World Cup exit has brought back a strange football pattern, with fans believing Norway could win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Japan's shocking loss to Oman and South Korea's scoreless draw with Iraq to open the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying

Andy Farrell certainly bought into the need for the selected players, including new faces Sean Jansen, Billy Bohan, Sam Illo and Bryn Ward, to impress.

TOKYO: Hajime Moriyasu is expected to stay on as coach of Japan following the team's elimination from the World Cup in the first round of the knockout stage, although only on a short-term basis, it was learned Thursday.

Japan vs Holland FIFA World Cup results, records, statistics with total matches played, wins, loss, draw, goals scored and goals difference on myKhel.com.

Japan moved one step closer to reaching the knockout stages of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time after pummeling Tunisia 4-0 in Group F, securing a milestone victory in the tournament's 1,