FIFA WC: Battling draw sends Japan and Sweden through to knockouts
Arlington, June 26
Daizen Maeda and Anthony Elanga traded quick-fire goals as a hard-fought 1-1 draw has taken Japan and Sweden through to the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage.
Japan arrived at Dallas Stadium knowing a draw would secure a top-two finish, while Sweden needed all three points to leapfrog their opponents into second place.
Japan, who qualified as Group F runners-up, will now face Brazil in Houston on June 30, while Sweden must wait to see who they will take on as secure rpud of 32 spot as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Daizen Maeda opened the scoring in the second half, putting the finishing touch on a flowing Japan move 11 minutes after the break. Sweden didn't take that hit lying down, though, and hit back just six minutes later.
Anthony Elanga picked the ball up on the right wing, cut inside and curled a sumptuous left-footed effort into the corner. Graham Potter's side came closest to winning it when Alexander Isak had a header tipped on to the bar by Zion Suzuki late on.
Japan soon began to assert control, dictating the tempo and forcing Graham Potter's charges deep inside their own half. Daizen Maeda headed narrowly wide early on, before Yukinari Sugawara tested Jacob Zetterstrom for the first time.
Keito Nakamura went even closer to breaking the deadlock, but his cleverly disguised effort was brilliantly tipped around the post, reports FIFA.
Japan broke the deadlock ten minutes after the restart when Maeda latched on to a superb Ritsu Doan through ball and finished smartly into the corner. Their lead lasted just a few minutes, though, with Anthony Elanga firing in a ferocious 20-yard shot to restore parity.
With Sweden in the ascendancy, Zion Suzuki denied Alexander Isak and Elanga goals that would have sent Sweden through in second place as a gripping contest ended all square.
— IANS
Reader Comments
You know, I really admire how Japan plays team football. No big stars, just solid coordination. And that goal by Maeda? Textbook counter-attack. We need more of this in Indian football development. Our boys could learn so much from their system.
What a match! Elanga's goal was pure class—curling it like that from 20 yards. But honestly, Japan deserved that draw for their first-half dominance. Sweden got lucky with that equalizer. 😅 Now let's see if India can ever reach this level in our lifetime...
Really happy for Japan! Asian teams doing well on the world stage gives me hope. But I do feel Sweden could have pushed harder in the first half—they left it too late to attack. Isak's header hitting the bar was heartbreaking for them. Karma for not taking chances earlier, I guess.
Japan vs Brazil in knockouts? That's going to be spicy! Reminds me of 2002 when they faced Turkey. The Blue Samurai have come a long way. Meanwhile, Sweden will be sweating on other results—tough situation to be in as a third-placed team. This is why group stages are so exciting! 🌍
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