“I think that, so far, this was our most complete game. We had problems in the first half creating chances, after all, Japan were sitting very deep. We looked for solutions, with crosses and more presence in the box in the second half. I think there was improvement. If we had problems today, we looked for solutions,” he said at the press conference after Monday’s match (29) in Houston.

The equalizer came just nine minutes into the second half. After a team attack, Casemiro got on the end of a Gabriel Magalhães cross and headed the ball into the back of the net. The winning goal came from Gabriel Martinelli, who slotted a shot into the corner in stoppage time. Amid the tension on the field, the coach explained that he remained “confident” and praised the quality and organization of the Japanese team.

“I suffered less. I was confident. The team was playing well. After the goal, we had difficulties because of the opponent’s strength. It is a respectable team, very well organized and dangerous. The players are physically strong. The team played. It was not a lost team like in the first half against Morocco,” explained Ancelotti, who earned his tenth win in charge of the Seleção against Japan.

Carlo Ancelotti during the national team’s press conference after the victory over Japan in the World Cup round of 32Credits: Sean M. Haffey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images