Substitute Gabriel Martinelli scored deep into injury time as Brazil beat stubborn Japan 2-1 on Monday to move into the last 16 of the World Cup.
Arsenal winger Martinelli struck in the 95th minute in Houston to break Japanese hearts in the most dramatic way.
The five-time champions will face either Ivory Coast or Norway in New Jersey on Sunday after a thrilling knockout encounter.
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Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano scored a classy solo goal after 29 minutes following a Brazil mistake to wow the yellow-clad crowd.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men hit back 11 minutes into the first half with veteran Casemiro’s header as Brazil dominated the second half.
Then out came Martinelli at the death to settle it and send the Brazilian fans wild.
History was against Japan: they had never won a direct knockout match at the World Cup, while Brazil were a record five-time champions.
But this is not an old Brazil team, even with Ancelotti in charge, while Japan have been talked about as dark horses.
With the drums of the Brazil fans providing a constant rhythmic backdrop, Ancelotti’s side were on top early on in front of a crowd of 68,777.
Images of Neymar on the bench appeared on the big screens, the noise from the Brazilian fans increased to another level.
Defensive midfielder Sano was booked for a tackle on Vinicius Junior, then Brazilian striker Matheus Cunha forced goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to turn the ball wide.
Japan, who beat Brazil 3-2 in October in a home friendly for their first win over the South Americans, then enjoyed a spell at the top.
Just before the half-hour mark, Hajime Moriyasu’s side took the lead, and it came from a mistake by Danilo as he cleared the ball with a tight pass.
Sano, one of four changes from Japan’s 1-1 draw with Sweden at the end of the group stage, picked up the ball in the center circle and left 34-year-old Casemiro – who was on the bench – with ease.
Sano, who plays for Mainz in Germany, drove upfield before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Alisson. This was his first goal for his country.
Now Brazil fans were restless, groaning when a move broke down or a pass went behind.
Brazil, whose last World Cup triumph was in 2002, looked unconvincing at the back and ineffective in attack.
Ancelotti was forced to make a change at the break, an exciting Lucas Paqueta limping off in agony with the attacking midfielder replaced by 19-year-old striker Endrick.
Japan, who beat Tunisia and held off the Netherlands and Sweden to reach the last 32, had Brazil where they wanted.
Brazil increased the pressure to start the second half and Japan defender Takehiro Tomiyasu twice kept the ball off the line, not that he knew much about it.
Brazil were soon level, Arsenal defender Gabriel sending an inviting cross for midfielder Casemiro to head unmarked at the back post.
Danger man Vinicius, well smothered until then, turned Japan’s defense inside out and flicked the ball towards Suzuki, who headed it onto the post.
It was all Brazil as they pushed for a late winner, with Vinicius – who scored four times in the group stage – more and more at the end.
Then came Martinelli’s belated intervention.
