Watch: Lebanese fans take to streets to celebrate Brazil’s victory over Japan in World Cup

Lebanese fans on Monday took to the streets to celebrate Brazil's 2-1 victory over Japan and qualification for the Round of 16.

Fans filled the streets in cities such as Tripoli and Zgharta as Brazil came from behind to win, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring the decisive goal five minutes into stoppage time. They paraded with Brazilian flags, dressed in Brazilian jerseys, painted their faces in Brazilian colours, and lit up the streets with celebratory flares.

The Brazilian national football team enjoys a huge following in Lebanon, rooted in the demographic ties between the two countries. Authorities estimate that up to 7-10 million Brazilians have Lebanese ancestry, exceeding Lebanon's population of about 6 million.

More than a century of migration and cultural integration has helped make Brazil the most popular international sporting team in the country.

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Videos of Brazil fans celebrating in Lebanon have also surfaced online.

As kick-off approached, drums echoed through the streets of Lebanon as fans gathered around screens to cheer every attack, according to The Associated Press.

"Today we had to work a bit for the win, but I was sure we were going to win. We’re Brazil, and we’ll show everyone what Brazil is really made of," Brazil supporter Bagus Fadlallah told AP.

In the thriller, Japan came close to defeating Brazil. Kaishu Sano opened the scoring for Japan in the 29th minute. The stunner raised the prospects of the world cup witnessing its greatest upset, but Brazil's Casemiro headed the ball into Japan's net in the 56th minute to level the score. The two sides then tackled each other in a goalless nail-biter until Martinelli scored the winner in stoppage time.

Brazil, who have won the men's World Cup a record five times, are among the favourites to win the tournament along with Argentina, France, and Spain, while England are viewed as underdogs to watch.