Japan and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw at Dallas Stadium on Thursday night as both sides booking their places in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Yankee Scores reports.
The result was enough for both teams to qualify from Group F, with Japan placing second and Sweden going through as one of the best third-placed teams.
The first half was generally unremarkable with neither side eager to take risks which could jeopardise their qualification aspirations.
#サッカー FIFAワールドカップ2026⚽️
日本🇯🇵1-1🇸🇪スウェーデン
前田大然 選手の先制ゴール、
そして鈴木彩艶 選手のスーパーセーブ！
全員一丸となって戦い抜いた #TEAMJAPAN
いよいよ決勝トーナメントへ！次はブラジル戦🇧🇷
6/30（火）2:00キックオフです🔥@jfa_samuraiblue pic.twitter.com/kkrZ1S3NSi— TEAM JAPAN (@TeamJapan) June 26, 2026
After the interval, the game sprang to life. Daizen Maeda opened the scoring in the 56th minute, completing off a play of the utmost quality.
Ritsu Doan’s pass found Ayase Ueda, who cut in from the right and sent the ball into the space between the Swedish centre-backs for the unmarked Maeda to knock home.
Sweden responded fast and spectacularly. Anthony Elanga equalised in the 62nd minute, curling a left-foot effort from the corner of the area over the Japanese defence and past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki for his second goal in two World Cup games.
Japan had a nervy end, but survived. Suzuki made a vital diving save to deny Alexander Isak three minutes after the equaliser and Elanga went close again in stoppage time as Isak hit the bar from a corner.
Sweden were frustrated throughout with Viktor Gyokeres registering just one shot and earning up a booking, while Elanga continues to be their top performance heading into the knockouts.
According to FIFA.com, Japan have officially gone through the World Cup group stage unbeaten for the first time in their history and now Japan will play five-time world champions Brazil in the Round of 32 as runners-up of their group, while the Netherlands topped the group by beating Tunisia 3-1.
Sweden will face the winner of Group B, E or I in the knockout rounds.
