India, June 30 -- Brazil's progress into the last-16 of the World Cup was eventually secured by a stoppage-time winner from Gabriel Martinelli, but the decisive moment was less about a brilliantly constructed move. Rather it was about the gradual dismantling of one of the most disciplined units of this World Cup.

The 2-1 comeback win was built on Carlo Ancelotti recognising that Japan were defending the very spaces Brazil were trying to attack before forcing the game in different directions.

It explains why for the entire first half Japan looked so comfortable. Their compact defence block frustrated Brazil, Vinicius Jr was reduced to a peripheral figure and the front third looked short of ideas. They dominated possession, passed around ...