Tearful Japanese World Cup fans stay hopeful after team’s 1-2 loss to Brazil

Japan’s World Cup run came to a heartbreaking end on Tuesday, as Brazil snatched a 95th-minute goal, to seal a 2-1 victory in the round of 32. Japan initially took the lead by scoring in the first half, but Brazil scored after the break before delivering the knockout goal. The defeat adds to Japan’s history of losses despite initial leads. But for fans who packed the stands, hope outweighed the sadness. Many saw Japan’s toe-to-toe performance against the Fifa World Cup’s greatest nation as a promising sign about the future.