World Cup 2026: Japan held by Sweden in dramatic Group F finale
Key takeaways
- Japan and Sweden fought out a dramatic 1-1 draw in Dallas in the final Group F match, leaving the top spot in the hands of the Netherlands.
- Daichi Maeda opened the scoring with a sublime team move in the 56th minute, before Alexander Elanga's stunning curling finish equalised for Sweden four minutes later.
- Japan and Sweden played out a tightly contested first half that yielded few clear-cut chances, with both sides content to probe rather than push for a decisive breakthrough.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Japan and Sweden fought out a dramatic 1-1 draw in Dallas in the final Group F match, leaving the top spot in the hands of the Netherlands. Daichi Maeda gave Japan the lead with a sublime team move, before Alexander Elanga's stunning finish equalised for the Swedes. Japan is set to face Brazil in their Round of 32 while Sweden will await their knockout opponent - either France or Senegal - depending on Group I's final standings.
By: FRANCE 24 Sweden's Yasin Ayari in action with Japan's Ao Tanaka, Ayumu Seko and Daichi Kamada. © Issei Kato, Reuters Japan and Sweden drew 1-1 in Dallas on Friday in a thrilling Group F finale that confirmed both nations' progression to the Round of 32. Daichi Maeda opened the scoring with a sublime team move in the 56th minute, before Alexander Elanga's stunning curling finish equalised for Sweden four minutes later.
Japan and Sweden played out a tightly contested first half that yielded few clear-cut chances, with both sides content to probe rather than push for a decisive breakthrough. The second half proved significantly more entertaining, with Maeda striking first in the 56th minute with a beautiful piece of collective play that highlighted Japan's technical quality. Sweden responded immediately through Elanga's magnificent curling finish in the 62nd minute, a moment of individual brilliance that sparked renewed belief in the Scandinavian side. Both goalkeepers made crucial saves, with Suzuki denying Isak and Zetterström producing a spectacular stop to keep the match level heading into the final stages.