7M - Japan 1-1 Sweden: Elanga stunner and Maeda strike see both sides advance to World Cup knockouts

Japan and Sweden both punched their tickets to the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 after playing out an intensely competitive and breathless 1-1 draw at Dallas Stadium in Arlington.

The hard-fought stalemate saw the Samurai Blue finish as Group F runners-up behind the Netherlands, setting up a blockbuster knockout clash against five-time champions Brazil. Meanwhile, Sweden safely navigated their passage as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams.

A cagey opening forty-five minutes saw clear-cut opportunities at a premium, with the encounter marred by a significant blow for Graham Potter’s Sweden when defensive rock Isak Hien was forced off through injury before the interval. Japan came closest on the stroke of half-time, but a flying, one-handed stop from Jacob Widell Zetterström denied Keito Nakamura's fierce effort to keep things level.

The tactical battle truly exploded into life after the interval as Japan stepped up their offensive press. The breakthrough arrived in the 56th minute via a fluid team sequence. Midfield general Ritsu Doan delivered a brilliantly incisive pass between the Swedish lines to find Daizen Maeda, who calmly controlled the ball before sliding an effortless finish home to bag Japan's seventh goal of the campaign.

However, the Japanese celebrations were abruptly cut short just six minutes later by a moment of pure individual magic. Collecting the ball on the right flank, Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga cut onto his left foot and unleashed an absolute rocket from the edge of the area, leaving goalkeeper Zion Suzuki with absolutely no chance as it flew into the top stanchion.

With the stakes incredibly high, Sweden pushed forward in search of a late winner, leaving gaps at the back that Koki Ogawa failed to exploit when left unmarked in the box.

The closing moments belonged entirely to Japan’s shot-stopper Suzuki. The youngster produced a sensational diving reflex save to deny Elanga’s goal-bound drive in stoppage time, before clawing away an Alexander Isak header from the ensuing corner to protect the point and seal historical qualifications for both European and Asian heavyweights.