Leeds star Ao Tanaka in tears after World Cup exit, Manchester United player offers comfort
Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka experienced a heart-breaking conclusion to his World Cup campaign, ending in tears after a late goal led to Japan’s elimination. Following the match, Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha offered comfort to Tanaka.
Tanaka was introduced into the match as a substitute with 12 minutes remaining in Japan’s last 32 clash against Brazil. Despite having impressed in earlier group stage games against Tunisia and Sweden, he had started the match on the bench. At the time of his entry, the score was tied 1-1. Japan had initially taken the lead just before the half-hour mark with a strike from Kaishu Sano, but Casemiro equalized for Brazil in the 56th minute.
The game appeared to be heading for extra time until Brazil’s Gabriel Martinelli scored a dramatic winner in the 95th minute. This decisive goal came after Tanaka lost possession of the ball near his own box. He had attempted to turn with the ball to advance Japan up the pitch but was dispossessed, allowing Brazil to work the ball to Martinelli, who then secured a 2-1 victory and passage to the last 16.
A Moment of Sportsmanship
Following the final whistle, Tanaka was visibly distraught and in tears. In a display of sportsmanship, Brazil’s Matheus Cunha, a striker for Manchester United, approached Tanaka to offer consolation. Cunha, who had been in action for Brazil alongside his former Manchester United teammate Casemiro, left his team’s celebrations to provide hugs and words of advice to the emotional Tanaka.
This gesture from Cunha was noted as a moment of class, as he chose to comfort Tanaka despite the ongoing celebrations with his own teammates. Stephen Warnock, a former Liverpool and England defender, commented on Tanaka’s error during the match, explaining that while Japan had defended well, Tanaka’s mistake allowed Bruno Guimaraes to split the defenders, leading to Martinelli’s clinical finish.
Tanaka, who is 27 years old, had also started the 2022 World Cup as a reserve before earning a starting position after the opening fixture. Prior to his move to Leeds, he played in the Bundesliga for Fortuna Dusseldorf from 2021 to 2024. Cunha, also 27, spent time in Germany from 2018 to 2023 before joining Wolves.
Other World Cup Developments
The World Cup also saw other notable exits. Former Leeds player Crysencio Summerville experienced heartbreak as his Netherlands side was eliminated after a 3-2 loss to Morocco on penalties, following a 1-1 draw. Morocco is now scheduled to play against Canada, managed by former Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, in the last 16.
Germany, for whom Leeds star Anton Stach was not selected for the squad, also exited the tournament on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Paraguay. Brazil, having advanced, will face the winners of the last 32 match between Norway and the Ivory Coast in the Round of 16. Brazil has not appeared in a World Cup final since 2002. Japan had previously been eliminated in the Round of 16 in 2022 by Croatia on penalties, and in 2018 by Belgium due to a stoppage-time winner.
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Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk
Reuben Castle is the Sports News Writer at News GB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from print into digital sport news. He holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Coventry, he follows the Open Championship and amateur boxing. “Accuracy first; the analysis can follow.”
