Japan 1 – 1 Sweden

Match Report

Ten minutes after the restart, Daizen Maeda latched onto a superb Ritsu Doan through ball to put Japan ahead. Sweden's response came quickly: Anthony Elanga curled in a glorious left-footed effort — by some descriptions a ferocious 20-yard strike — to level it on 62 minutes, and that's how it stayed. Zion Suzuki denied late chances from both Alexander Isak and Elanga to preserve the point, and the draw was enough for both sides: Japan finish second in Group F and advance to face Brazil, the Group C winners, in the round of 32; Sweden finish third and go through as one of the best third-placed teams.

Anthony Elanga, whose goal salvaged the point, struck a philosophical tone afterward. "I really wanted to win today, but I think a point was enough in the end," he said. "And listen, I'm really proud of the whole team, especially Jakob, who came in today. I think he played a terrific game," he added, referring to goalkeeper Jakob Zetterström's start.

🛋️ The Couch predicted Japan 1-2 Sweden — Ueda opening the scoring, Gyökeres equalizing, Isak grabbing a late winner — and had the headline reading "Japan exit proud, Sweden through second." Got the scoreline in the right neighborhood (1-2 predicted, 1-1 actual) but missed every scorer: Maeda, not Ueda, got Japan's goal, and Elanga, not Gyökeres or Isak, got Sweden's. The bigger miss was the outcome itself — both teams advanced. Nobody went home proud and empty-handed; everybody just went through.

Match Timeline

• 55'⚽GOAL — Daizen Maeda (JPN) — Latches onto a superb Ritsu Doan through ball. 1-0.
• 62'⚽GOAL — Anthony Elanga (SWE) — A curled, ferocious left-footed strike levels it. 1-1.
• 85'🧤Save — Zion Suzuki (JPN) — Denies a late Isak chance.
• 88'🧤Save — Zion Suzuki (JPN) — Denies Elanga too, preserving the point.
• 90+'🏁Full Time: Japan 1-1 Sweden. Both teams advance to the round of 32.

Three Things We Learned

1. Zion Suzuki's Late Saves Were the Real Difference-Makers

Denying both Isak and Elanga in the closing stages turned what could have been a heartbreaking finish into a draw that suited Japan just fine.

2. Sweden's Third-Place Path Is Now Confirmed

A point from this match, combined with their earlier results, is enough to send them through as one of the best third-placed teams — no nervous waiting required.

3. Group F's Final Picture Defied the Preview Entirely

Netherlands top, Japan second, Sweden third, Tunisia out — three different teams advancing than the "Japan exit, Sweden through" story this match was sold as.

Player Ratings

🇯🇵 Japan

🇸🇪 Sweden

Match Stats

• Scoreline1-1
• Japan record1W-2D-0L, 5 pts
• Sweden record1W-1D-1L, 4 pts
• Late saves (Suzuki)2 (Isak, Elanga)
• VenueAT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

Group F — After Match 060 (Final MD3 Standings)

Japan secure second on goal difference, setting up a round of 32 meeting with Group C winners Brazil. Sweden's point is enough to confirm their place as one of the best third-placed teams. Tunisia finish without a point and are eliminated.