Japan and Sweden reach World Cup last 32 after 1-1 draw
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 26, 2026, 1:22 AM
Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Japan and Sweden played to a 1-1 draw in Dallas, ensuring both teams advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup. Daizen Maeda put Japan ahead with a well-worked goal, but Anthony Elanga equalized with a long-range strike. The draw secured Japan's runners-up position in the group, while Sweden finished third and faces potential matchups against France or Norway in the next round. Both teams will now prepare for their respective round-of-32 matches, with Japan set to face Brazil.
- •Japan finishes second in the group and will face Brazil next.
- •Sweden secures third place and awaits round-of-32 pairing.
- •Goals scored by Daizen Maeda and Anthony Elanga.
- •Match took place in Dallas.
- •Game featured a strong comeback from Sweden after trailing.
- 1:32 AMYahoo Sports — Japan and Sweden book spots in round of 32 after dull draw in Group F climax
- 1:22 AMThe Guardian Sport — Japan and Sweden both reach World Cup last 32 after Elanga’s equaliser seals draw
"It was a result that served everybody but, even though the mutual convenience of a draw became evident rapidly, at least this game conjured up two moments to cherish. Japan guaranteed the runners-up spot that always seemed likely to be theirs and will face Brazil in Houston on Monday; a point was enough for third-placed Sweden to run the gauntlet of some head-spinning round-of-32 permutations that could pair them with France or their local rivals Norway. Graham Potter and Hajime Moriyasu could have been excused shaking on the outcome after a featureless first half. But this is Dallas, not Gijón; the crowd were served a marvellously-worked goal by Daizen Maeda, quickly cancelled out by Anthony Elanga’s spectacular long-range strike. Potter had wanted his team to manage the fine margins after Sweden’s wildly fluctuating start to the tournament and could, by the end, embrace his staff knowing the job was done. Continue reading...
"Japan 1-1 Sweden: Anthony Elanga cancelled out Daizen Maeda’s opener in a game lacking in quality
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 26, 2026, 1:32 AMJapan and Sweden book spots in round of 32 after dull draw in Group F climax
Japan 1-1 Sweden: Anthony Elanga cancelled out Daizen Maeda’s opener in a game lacking in quality
- The Guardian SportJun 26, 2026, 1:22 AMJapan and Sweden both reach World Cup last 32 after Elanga’s equaliser seals draw
It was a result that served everybody but, even though the mutual convenience of a draw became evident rapidly, at least this game conjured up two moments to cherish. Japan guaranteed the runners-up spot that always seemed likely to be theirs and will face Brazil in Houston on Monday; a point was enough for third-placed Sweden to run the gauntlet of some head-spinning round-of-32 permutations that could pair them with France or their local rivals Norway. Graham Potter and Hajime Moriyasu could have been excused shaking on the outcome after a featureless first half. But this is Dallas, not Gijón; the crowd were served a marvellously-worked goal by Daizen Maeda, quickly cancelled out by Anthony Elanga’s spectacular long-range strike. Potter had wanted his team to manage the fine margins after Sweden’s wildly fluctuating start to the tournament and could, by the end, embrace his staff knowing the job was done. Continue reading...
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