Anthony Elanga’s long-range strike cancelled out Daizen Maeda’s smart finish as Sweden fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Japan, ensuring both sides progressed to the World Cup knockout stages at Dallas Stadium.
For a sterile first half, neutrals could have been forgiven for wishing the managers had shaken hands at half-time. Graham Potter and Hajime Moriyasu watched their sides play out 45 minutes that barely raised the pulse, with Keita Nakamura’s shot forcing a stretching save from Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström just before the whistle — the only action of note.
“Sweden's Anthony Elanga cancels Japan's goal in a 1-1 draw, sending both teams to the World Cup last 32.”
But the second half served up two moments to cherish. Japan, who had seen their designs on winning Group F slip away as the Netherlands extended their lead against Tunisia, took the lead through a marvellously worked goal. The recalled Celtic forward Maeda finished it, and for a spell Sweden could not handle Japan’s head-spinning interplays.
Sweden, who risked throwing away a promising campaign after their 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands, responded with a piece of long-range brilliance from Elanga. The winger, drafted in by Potter after his goalscoring contribution against the Dutch, equalised and ensured everyone got what they came for. Potter could embrace his staff delightedly by the end.
“I’d have snapped his hand off, yeah!” Potter joked when asked how he would have reacted if Moriyasu suggested a draw. “Over the course of the game I think it was a fair result and arguably we were slightly better in the second half,” he added.
Sweden nearly snatched a date with Brazil when Alexander Isak’s late header was turned onto the bar. Instead, Japan will face the Seleçao in Houston on Monday as runners-up — a mouthwatering knockout clash that surely has no business being contested so early in the competition. Japan can be spurred by the precedent set in October, when they thrillingly beat Carlo Ancelotti’s side in Tokyo. “They will feel able to do it again,” the Guardian reported, noting there was no point risking the third-place lottery.
For Sweden, certain of a spot in the last 32, the draw served everyone. “Thank goodness this is Dallas and not Gijon,” the Guardian wrote — there was ultimately no disgrace in a result that left both sides celebrating.