Sweden drew 1-1 with Japan in their final Group F match at the FIFA World Cup in Arlington, Texas, on June 25. Japan took the lead through Daizen Maeda before Anthony Elanga curled in an equaliser for Sweden in the 62nd minute, marking his second World Cup goal in the tournament [1, 2, 3, 4].
The result left the Netherlands top of Group F with 7 points, Japan second with 5 points, and Sweden third with 4 points. Despite finishing third, Sweden qualified for the knockout round as one of the best third-placed teams across all groups [2, 5, 3, 6, 4].
Sweden's World Cup campaign featured a coaching change from Jon Dahl Tomasson to Graham Potter, who led the team through playoffs to reach the tournament [2, 3]. Potter gave Elanga a starting role in the match, praising his confidence and impact. Elanga said, "I really have to thank Graham for the confidence he's given me since day one. I'm happy I scored... but in the end everyone shouted at me that we need to get one point. But I'm happy we're through, and now we have to try to play even better in the next match" [2, 3, 4].
Elanga showed visible frustration after the draw, initially unaware that the point secured qualification. He even collapsed with cramps but urged teammates to push for a second goal, shouting, "I just shouted, come on, we can go for more... I got cramp at the end but didn't want to stop running" [5, 6, 4]. Teammate Alexander Isak later said, "He got a little scolding from me there. He was a little frustrated at the end of the match and you can understand that now" [5, 6].
Goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, making his World Cup debut, was also unclear about the team's qualification status during the match [5, 6]. Potter acknowledged the frustration but defended his decisions, saying, "It couldn't have been any clearer for him. He's obviously thinking about something else, bless him. I love him at the moment, but dear me" and "You make a change and we lose and you guys (journalists) are coming after me, that's the life. But, at the same time, I've been doing this for quite a while and you have to do what you think is right, and I'll live and die by that" [2, 5].
Looking ahead to the knockout stage, Potter said Sweden would be underdogs but ready for the challenge. "Whoever we meet it's going be a top team, we know that. That's the World Cup, the challenge we have. So we're obviously looking forward to whoever we meet. I think we'll be underdog in the game, of course, and where we come from, and what we've done. But it's just nice for us to be there, and we'll be ready, and we'll compete, and we'll try our best" [7].
Japan, who finished second in the group, will face Brazil in the round of 32 [4].
