FIFA WC 2026: Casemiro’s header makes him Brazil’s second-oldest World Cup goalscorer | Football News

At 34, Casemiro made a remarkable mark in Brazilian World Cup lore by becoming the second-oldest player to score for his country. (AP Photo)

Aged 34 years and 126 days, Casemiro became the second-oldest goalscorer for Brazil at the World Cup, behind only the legendary Bebeto, who scored against Denmark in 1998 at 34 years and 137 days. Just eleven days separate them in the record books and Casemiro made every one of them count.With Brazil trailing Japan 1-0 and in serious danger of a stunning Round of 32 exit, Casemiro nodded Gabriel Magalhães’ delivery to the back post into the net in the 56th minute to draw the Seleção level. It was the kind of goal that shifts momentum, steadies nerves, and reminds a nation why a player of his experience belongs on the biggest stage. Brazil eventually won 2-1, with substitute Gabriel Martinelli scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send the five-time world champions into the Round of 16.It was just Brazil’s second win in their previous nine World Cup matches in which they had trailed, and their first such victory since the opening match of 2014 against Croatia. In that context, Casemiro’s equaliser was more than a goal, it was a lifeline.This is Casemiro’s third World Cup. He played in Russia 2018, where his absence through suspension was acutely felt in their quarter-final defeat to Belgium, and in Qatar 2022, where he scored a crucial late winner against Switzerland before Brazil were eliminated on penalties by Croatia.One year ago, Casemiro’s days at the top appeared to be numbered. He had been an unused substitute for Manchester United and out of favour with Brazil. He rejected a lucrative move to Al Nassr, choosing instead to stay at Old Trafford to maintain the match rhythm needed to justify his World Cup place. That decision now looks like one of the smartest in recent football history.Only Bebeto and now Casemiro have scored for Brazil at the World Cup past the age of 34. Thiago Silva, who scored at 33 years and 278 days, is third on that list.Class, as they say, is permanent. At 34, Casemiro is living proof.