Houston: Brazil silenced predictions of an early FIFA World Cup exit by defeating Asian heavyweights Japan 2-1 in a dramatic Round of 32 clash, prompting star forward Neymar to mock German mathematician and economist Joachim Klement, whose statistical model had forecast Brazil's elimination.
Brazil secured its place in the pre-quarterfinals after substitute Gabriel Martinelli struck a stoppage-time winner in the 95th minute of the thriller in Houston. Klement's model had predicted Japan would knock out the five-time world champions, a forecast that drew widespread attention because of his successful predictions of Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph, France's 2018 title and Argentina's victory in Qatar in 2022. Following Brazil's victory, Neymar took to social media to ridicule the failed prediction.
Klement's broader World Cup forecast has also unravelled. His model had projected the Netherlands to win the tournament for the first time by defeating Spain in the semifinals and Portugal in the final. Instead, the Dutch were eliminated in the Round of 32 after losing to Morocco in a penalty shootout. The model was based on economic and statistical indicators, including GDP, population, FIFA rankings and football culture.
Neymar remained on the bench against Japan and did not feature in the match. Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said the initial plan was to introduce him after halftime, but the match remained level, leading the coaching staff to keep him in reserve for extra time if required.
Brazil will face the winner of the Norway-Ivory Coast match in the pre-quarterfinals on July 5 at New Jersey Stadium in New York.