World Cup Advancement
Sweden and Japan Draw 1-1, Anthony Elanga's Goal Sends Both to World Cup Knockouts
Key Points
Sweden handed a first World Cup start to left wing-back Elliot Stroud, with captain Víctor Lindelöf deployed to screen the backline as part of Potter's defensive balance adjustments.
Daizen Maeda's opener was described as arising from a 'team move of the highest quality' after Ritsu Doan found the ball behind Sweden's defense.
Sweden have now scored four goals from outside the box in this World Cup, double any other team, with Brazil the last side to reach four from outside the box in a group stage.
Japan have now gone unbeaten through a World Cup group stage for the second time in their history, having previously achieved that feat in 2002 when co-hosts.
Elanga's 28.9-metre strike for Sweden is the second-longest World Cup goal by a Swedish player since records began in 1966, trailing only Anders Svensson's 30.9-metre strike in 2002.
Anthony Elanga's 28.9-metre left-footed strike in the 62nd minute earned Sweden a 1-1 draw with Japan on Thursday at Dallas Stadium, sending both nations into the 2026 World Cup knockout rounds. Daizen Maeda had given Japan the lead six minutes earlier with what FIFA called a 'team move of the highest quality,' but Elanga's thunderbolt — the second-longest World Cup goal by a Swedish player since 1966 — cancelled it out.
Japan finished Group F in second place with five points and will face Brazil in Houston. Sweden advanced in third with four points, qualifying as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the expanded 48-team field. Their potential Round of 16 opponents are France or Norway, depending on other group results.
Elanga Fires Sweden to Historic Consecutive World Cup Goals
Elanga became the first Swedish player ever to score in back-to-back World Cup matches, according to Yahoo Sports. His strike flew into the bottom corner from nearly 29 metres out. Elanga said after the match he was 'really proud of the team's resilience' after going behind. The goal was his second of the tournament and continued a Sweden pattern not seen since 1994.
Sweden have now scored four goals from outside the penalty box at this World Cup — double any other team in the field, BBC reported. The last team to reach four such goals in a group stage was Brazil. That reliance on long-range shooting has been both Sweden's biggest weapon and a potential weakness if opponents crowd space outside the box in the knockout rounds.
Potter's Tactical Gambles Reshape Sweden's Defensive Shape
Sweden manager Graham Potter, appointed in October 2025, made two bold calls in Dallas. He handed a first World Cup start to 23-year-old wing-back Elliot Stroud of Mjällby AIF — a club whose stadium sits in a village five times smaller than its capacity. Potter also deployed captain Víctor Lindelöf as a screening midfielder to shield the backline, according to The Guardian.
The plan was disrupted early. Centre-back Isak Hien picked up a yellow card in the 32nd minute, then limped off five minutes later. That brought 20-year-old Lucas Bergvall of Tottenham into the game ahead of schedule. Japan also lost captain Kō Itakura to injury in the 39th minute, with Shogo Taniguchi stepping in to hold their defensive shape through half-time.
Japan Holds Firm to Secure Historic Unbeaten Group Stage
Japan's 1-1 draw means they have gone unbeaten through a World Cup group stage for only the second time in their history. The first was in 2002, when they co-hosted the tournament. Goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was key to preserving the point, making critical saves to deny Alexander Isak and Elanga in the final ten minutes, according to FIFA.
Maeda said post-match that while Japan wanted the win, the point was 'enough' to secure a meeting with Brazil — a fixture Sky Sports called one of the 'blue-riband' matchups of the first knockout round. Japan face five-time world champions Brazil in Houston, the biggest test yet for Hajime Moriyasu's side.
Group F Final Standings and the Road to Round of 16
The Netherlands topped Group F with seven points and a plus-six goal difference after their earlier 5-1 win over Sweden. Japan finished second on five points. Sweden sit third on four points with a neutral goal difference. Tunisia collected zero points and finish bottom with a minus-10 goal difference, according to BBN Times.
Sweden's four-point third-place finish was enough to claim one of eight best third-place slots across 12 groups — a route made possible by the expanded 48-team format. Analysts at Sky Sports noted that star strikers Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres 'must do more' in the knockouts, as Sweden have leaned heavily on Elanga and midfield long-rangers to carry the attack.
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