Japan finishes second in Group F and will face Brazil in the Round of 32, while Sweden advances as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Japan and Sweden shared the points in an entertaining 1-1 draw that ultimately suited both sides, sending the Samurai Blue into the Round of 32 as Group F runners-up and keeping Sweden’s hopes alive through qualification among the best third-placed teams.
The Japanese entered the final group-stage match knowing a draw would likely be enough to secure passage to the knockout rounds, while Sweden needed at least a point and favorable results elsewhere to continue dreaming.
The first half was balanced and entertaining despite ending goalless. Both teams managed to create dangerous situations, but goalkeepers Zion Suzuki and Jacob Zetterström were equal to the task, producing several important saves to keep the deadlock intact.
After the break, the game finally came to life.
At the 56th minute, Japan struck first. Ritsu Doan found Daizen Maeda with a perfectly weighted pass, and the Celtic forward made no mistake, beating Zetterström to put Hajime Moriyasu’s side ahead.
The lead lasted only six minutes.
Sweden responded immediately through one of its brightest talents. Viktor Gyökeres showed excellent vision and slipped a pass into the path of Anthony Elanga, who calmly finished past Suzuki to level the score at 1-1.
Both teams pushed for a winner during the closing stages, but fatigue and caution gradually took over as the realization grew that the result would benefit both nations.
Japan closes Group F in second place and now faces one of the tournament favorites, Brazil, in what promises to be one of the most exciting Round of 32 encounters.
Sweden, meanwhile, keeps its World Cup journey alive after securing qualification as one of the best third-placed teams and will likely face either France or Norway in the next round.
Match Report
Japan 1-1 Sweden
Scorers:
56′ Maeda (JPN)
62′ Elanga (SWE)
Japan (3-4-3)
Zion Suzuki; Seko (75′ Watanabe), Itakura (39′ Taniguchi), Hiroki Ito (39′ Taniguchi); Sugawara, Kamada, Tanaka, K. Nakamura (75′ Nagatomo); Doan (67′ Junya Ito), Ueda (66′ Ogawa), Maeda.
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
Sweden (3-4-1-2)
Zetterström; Lagerbielke, Hien (37′ Bergvall), Lindelöf (87′ Starfelt); Bernhardsson (75′ D. Svensson), Stroud (75′ Ken Sema), Ayari, Gudmundsson (88′ Nygren); Elanga; Gyökeres, Isak.
Coach: Graham Potter
Referee: Iván Barton (El Salvador)
Yellow Cards: Hien, Taniguchi, Gyökeres
Red Cards: None
Final Group F Standings
| Position | Team | Points |
1 | Netherlands | 7 |
2 | Japan | 7 |
3 | Sweden | 4 |
4 | Tunisia | 0 |
Qualified: Netherlands (1st), Japan (2nd), Sweden (best third-placed team)
