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Brazil defeated Japan 2-1 in the Round of 16 of this FIFA World Cup. Gabriel was interviewed in the mixed zone after the match.

Today, Brazil played perhaps their most balanced performance since Ancelotti took over. At one point during the match, both fans and on-site reporters questioned whether Brazil could mount a comeback. When did you first sense the team could turn the tide? Were there any critical discussions during halftime that ultimately shifted the game's momentum?

I think the team's performance today deserves praise. Obviously, we were up against a very strong opponent. We conceded in the first half, but we always believed we could turn it around. We needed to stay composed in our attacking play, and ultimately, that's exactly what happened—we scored goals.

You've consistently emphasized continuous improvement and building confidence throughout the tournament. A match like today's surely strengthens that confidence. Brazil conceded first in a very difficult game that required patience to break down a solid defense before completing a comeback. Is this the kind of confidence and team spirit you hope to maintain as Brazil pursues a deeper run in this World Cup?

Absolutely. As I mentioned, we controlled possession in the first half but still conceded, which is part of football. I think we stayed calm throughout, and especially in the second half after we equalized, we scored twice. We created more chances in the second half than the first. Our substitutes also played a crucial role and genuinely changed the course of the match.

The match just finished, but looking ahead, Brazil will face either Norway or Ivory Coast next. What are your thoughts on these potential opponents? Will you watch tomorrow's match? You've played against some of their players in England and been teammates with others—what can you tell us about these two teams?

We just completed a very important match. The priority now is proper rest, and we'll consider these questions during the week ahead. We know there are no easy opponents in this tournament; every team is strong. But as I said, we need to recover first and assess where we still need to improve. Of course, this victory is important, but we must stay grounded.

What role did Ancelotti play during halftime? How crucial was his input?

The coach kept us composed. The focus of our halftime discussion was maintaining clarity, because we knew it would be a long match. That's how it played out—we stayed patient until the end and won.

How did that assist come about? Casemiro mentioned the quality of your cross twice in his interview. Was it a midfield pass, a center-back playing out of position, or a full-back's cross?

This is something I practice regularly at Arsenal. We often face opponents with a high defensive line, so we work on situations like this frequently. It could be a center-back in that position or a defensive midfielder—whoever it is doesn't really matter. I'm grateful I executed the cross well, which helped Casemiro score.

How significant is it to complete a comeback like this on the World Cup stage? How will this match impact the team's momentum going forward?

As we said before kickoff, you have to fight for all 90 minutes. We know our strengths as a team, and we know we must stay focused on every moment. This is a very important victory. But as I've said, we need to remain grounded and shift our focus to the next match as quickly as possible.

Talk about your celebration with Gabriel Martinelli after his goal. You're club teammates—he scored the go-ahead goal and celebrated intensely with you. What did that moment mean? You provided the assist, and your club teammate put Brazil ahead.

Martinelli is my best friend. We've been together for six years since I joined Arsenal, and he's always treated me well. I'm genuinely happy for him because he's an extremely hardworking player. I always tell him he has the ability to decide games. That's exactly what happened today, so I'm truly pleased for him.

It's been mentioned in previous press conferences that Brazil sometimes adopts a reactive style, which isn't necessarily negative. However, today against Japan's compact defensive structure, Brazil faced real difficulties. Japan executed their strategy perfectly, maintaining their shape and forcing Brazil to break them down. If you face a similarly organized defense in the future, what areas need improvement?

As I said, we were facing a well-organized national team that has played together for many years. We knew this would be a difficult match and understood their approach. But in the second half, we created more chances and ultimately converted them.

This is Brazil's first knockout-stage comeback since the 2002 World Cup. How would you characterize the team's performance in winning after conceding first?

I think the most important thing is maintaining belief throughout. We knew we had the quality to win and we believed until the final whistle. We're certainly delighted with this victory.

` --- Key refinements made: improved flow and naturalness, corrected minor phrasing inconsistencies, enhanced clarity in technical descriptions, and ensured consistent tone throughout.

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