Japan and Sweden draw to send both into the Round of 32

Japan and Sweden played out a 1-1 draw at the AT&T Stadium that carried both nations into the knockout rounds, a mutually useful result that — with Netherlands winning Group F — confirmed three qualifiers from the section. Maeda's opener for Japan was matched by Anthony Elanga's strike, and neither side overreached once the picture became clear. For Japan it sealed a third successive World Cup knockout berth, extending an impressive run of tournament consistency for the Samurai Blue.

How it unfolded: Maeda, Elanga and a late Suzuki save

Maeda put Japan ahead, becoming the third Japanese player to score at more than one World Cup with a tidy finish. Sweden hit back on 62 minutes through Elanga, who bent a left-footed effort into the far corner — one of a tournament-leading four Swedish goals from outside the area. In the 94th minute Zion Suzuki kept Japan's qualification on track with a brilliant stop to deny Alexander Isak, securing the point both teams ultimately needed and capping a composed goalkeeping display.

Context: Japan chase a knockout breakthrough

A third straight last-32 qualification highlights Japan's consistency, but a notable hurdle remains: they have never won a World Cup knockout tie, exiting in the last 16 every previous time. Their reward now is a meeting with Brazil and a chance to rewrite that history. Sweden, for their part, leave behind a signature trait — a willingness to shoot from range that produced more long-distance goals than any other side at the finals, with Elanga's curler the standout.

The table: Netherlands lead, Japan and Sweden progress

Group F ended with Netherlands top on seven points, Japan second on five (GD plus four) and Sweden third on four with a goal difference of zero, keeping them in the best-third race; Tunisia finished bottom and exit. Japan now turn to a formidable date with Brazil in Houston, the chance to claim a first-ever knockout win against the most decorated nation in World Cup history. Sweden, meanwhile, will sweat on the third-placed standings but can take heart from a campaign in which their shooting from distance troubled every opponent. Our forecast of Over 2.5 goals missed in a tense 1-1 stalemate, as both sides ultimately prioritised the cautious result that took them through rather than chasing a winner.