A heart-breaking end for Leeds United star Ao Tanaka at the World Cup.

Leeds United star Ao Tanaka was left in tears as a Manchester United rival offered help following a mistake and heart-breaking World Cup ending for Japan.

Tanaka was only named on the bench for Monday evening’s last 32 clash against Brazil despite impressing in the last two Group stage games against Tunisia and Sweden but the Leeds ace was finally brought on with 12 minutes left.

At that point, the game was tied all square at 1-1, Japan having gone ahead just before the half-hour mark through Kaishu Sano’s crisp strike put pegged back as Casemiro drew Brazil level in the 56th minute.

The contest then looked destined for extra time but Brazil ultimately netted a dramatic 95th-minute winner through Gabriel Martinelli after Tanaka had lost the ball on the edge of his box.

Mistake proves costly for Japan

The Leeds star tried to turn with the ball to get Japan up the pitch but lost possession and Brazil worked the ball to Martinelli who fired home a clinical finish to seal a 2-1 victory and passage to the last 16.

A clearly distraught Tanaka was then in tears at the full-time whistle but Brazil’s Manchester United striker Matheus Cunha showed class as he consoled Tanaka with hugs and words of advice.

There was also heartbreak for ex-Leeds star Crysencio Summerville who missed a penalty as his Netherlands side exited the competition with a 3-2 loss to Morocco on spot kicks after a 1-1 draw.

Morocco will now play ex-Leeds boss Jesse Marsch’s Canada in the last 16 whilst Brazil will play the winners of Tuesday’s last 32 clash between Norway and the Ivory Coast.

Germany - for whom Leeds star Anton Stach was overlooked for a place in the squad - were also dumped out on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Paraguay.