DALLAS — Japan and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw at AT&T Stadium that sent both nations into the World Cup knockout stage, with Daizen Maeda’s opener cancelled out by a stunning Anthony Elanga equaliser just six minutes later.
The result confirms Japan as Group F runners-up, setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston. Sweden advance as one of the best third-placed teams, with their opponent likely to be the Group I winner — either France or Norway.
The Match
The first half was a study in mutual caution. Both teams knew a draw would almost certainly be enough, and the opening 45 minutes reflected that calculation. Four shots in total, none on target until first-half stoppage time, when Keito Nakamura forced Jacob Zetterstrom into a sharp save from inside the penalty area.
The second half was a different game entirely.
On 56 minutes, Japan produced the move of the match. Ritsu Doan, drifting inside from the right, threaded a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Maeda. The Celtic forward, who had been a bundle of energy all evening, slid his finish past the advancing Zetterstrom to give Japan the lead.
The lead lasted six minutes.
Anthony Elanga, the Newcastle winger who had scored against the Netherlands in the previous match, picked up the ball on the right flank, cut inside, and unleashed a left-footed curler that flew past Zion Suzuki into the far corner. It was a goal of genuine quality — the kind of strike that changes the mood of an entire stadium.
Sweden, suddenly alive, poured forward. Alexander Isak forced a sharp save from Suzuki. Minutes later, Isak struck the crossbar from a corner. In stoppage time, Elanga drove into the box again, only for Suzuki to deny him with another crucial stop.
Group F Final Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | +5 | 7 |
| 2 | Japan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 5 |
| 3 | Sweden | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 2 |
| 4 | Tunisia | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 1 |
What’s Next
Japan face Brazil in Houston — a fixture that carries the weight of World Cup history. The Samurai Blue have lost both previous World Cup meetings with Brazil by an aggregate score of 1-8. But this is a Japan side that beat Germany and Spain in 2022, dismantled Tunisia 4-0 in this group stage, and has not lost a match at this tournament. Underestimate them at your peril.
Sweden’s rollercoaster continues. From 5-1 winners against Tunisia to 5-1 losers against the Netherlands, and now a hard-fought draw with Japan. Graham Potter’s side have shown they can be both brilliant and brittle. The Round of 32 will demand the former.
Sources: Sky Sports, FIFA, ESPN
