Fortunately, this match took place in Dallas rather than Gijon. In the end, a draw was a satisfactory outcome for both teams, even if Graham Potter and Hajime Moriyasu might have exchanged uneasy handshakes at halftime. At that moment, many observers may have considered calling it a day, but a more dynamic second half unfolded, producing two memorable moments and securing Sweden’s advancement to the last 32 after they nearly squandered a promising start.
Japan, already assured of their place, will enter the knockout phase as runners-up and square off against Brazil in Houston on Monday. This match promises to be an exciting encounter that seems far too early in the tournament for such a high-profile clash. A lower finish in the group could potentially have yielded no better outcomes, but recent successes, including a thrilling victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s team in Tokyo last October, have boosted their confidence. They believe they can replicate that result and avoided the risk of a third-place lottery.
The Japanese side, clearly reenergized after a lackluster first half, took the lead thanks to a brilliantly executed goal from Daizen Maeda, the recalled forward from Celtic. For a time, Sweden struggled to cope with their swift and intricate passing. However, a moment of long-range brilliance from Anthony Elanga ensured that both teams left with something to celebrate, allowing Potter to greet his coaching staff with joy as the match concluded.
“I’d have snapped his hand off, yeah!” Potter jokingly remarked when asked how he would have responded if Moriyasu had suggested a draw. He expressed satisfaction with the overall performance, noting that his team finished stronger and nearly secured a date with Brazil when Alexander Isak’s late header rattled the crossbar.
“Over the course of the game I think it was a fair result and arguably we were slightly better in the second half,” he commented. The first half was disappointing for neutral fans, who witnessed a match that seemed open yet hardly raised the pulse. Keita Nakamura’s shot just before the halftime whistle, which forced a stretching save from Jacob Widell Zetterström, was the only highlight, making it feel like time was simply being run down.
Widell Zetterström’s selection as goalkeeper was a surprising choice for Potter, who also brought Elanga into the lineup after the winger’s scoring performance against the Netherlands. Sweden’s heavy 5-1 defeat in that prior match had overshadowed their impressive win over Tunisia. Although they managed to tighten their defense in this match, an early hamstring injury to center-back Isak Hien, who had faced criticism for his struggles against Brian Brobbey, was a setback that could have longer-term implications.
Ritsu Doan, the winger from Eintracht Frankfurt, sparked into action and created a decisive opening. After receiving a return pass from Ayase Ueda, who skillfully held the ball, Doan delivered a precise ball to an alert Maeda. The finish was flawless, putting Potter in a precarious position as he could not afford to lose by more than a single goal.
Elanga quickly turned the tide six minutes later with a stunning goal. He gathered the ball on the right after Viktor Gyökeres had drawn Ao Tanaka away with a clever run. Elanga’s shot, taken from an ambitious angle, swerved dangerously, catching Zion Suzuki off guard as it curved past him.
Potter praised Gyökeres for his relentless effort throughout the match, stating, “An outstanding performance from a centre-forward with his back to goal,” However, it was Isak’s near-post flick from a corner, deflected onto the woodwork by a busy Suzuki, that nearly stole the spotlight in added time.
As Sweden prepares for the next round, they could face formidable opponents such as Germany, France, or even Norway, complicating Potter’s preparations. Meanwhile, Japan’s Moriyasu is brimming with excitement regarding the upcoming challenge.
“This is proof of the growth in Japanese football,” he said, reflecting on the reunion with Ancelotti and his squad, drawing confidence from last year’s 3-2 victory. “Of course [Brazil] are perfect but we do believe there is a chance for us to win. We proved to Brazil that we’re not a pushover and that’s a great advancement for us.”
Japan had a chance to emphasize their point further when substitute Koki Ogawa missed a shot, but their fate, along with the outcome of the match, was rarely in serious doubt.
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