Japan and Sweden draw 1–1 in their final Group F match at the 2026 World Cup in Arlington early Friday morning.
The result qualifies both teams for the Round of 16, with the Blue Samurai finishing second in the group behind the Netherlands.
The first half offered little in the way of excitement. Although Sweden showed more initiative in the opening minutes, the two teams largely neutralized each other in midfield.
Japan’s best chance came just before halftime, but Swedish goalkeeper Zetterstrom made a superb save to deny Keito Nakamura’s attempt.
The two teams thus headed into the locker rooms with the score tied at zero.
The match picked up after the break. In the 56th minute, Japan broke the deadlock thanks to a superb team effort finished off by Daizen Maeda.
However, the Japanese were pegged back just six minutes later. Anthony Elanga leveled the score with a magnificent curling shot that left Zion Suzuki with no chance.
The final half-hour was largely dominated by the Scandinavians, who were determined to clinch second place in the group.
Suzuki made several key saves against Alexander Isak and then Anthony Elanga, before seeing a deflection from Isak crash off the crossbar in stoppage time.
