Fortunately for fans, this encounter took place in Dallas rather than Gijon. The draw ultimately proved acceptable for all parties involved, even if one could understand why Graham Potter and Hajime Moriyasu might have considered a handshake at half-time. At that moment, many spectators might have been tempted to call it a day, but a more electrifying second half produced two memorable moments, ensuring Sweden, who had nearly squandered their promising campaign, would advance to the last 32.
Japan had already confirmed their advancement and, finishing as runners-up, will now face Brazil in Houston on Monday. This enticing knockout match seems out of place so early in the tournament. In hindsight, a lower finish might not have served them better, and they can draw motivation from recent history. After all, they managed a thrilling victory over Carlo Ancelotti’s side in Tokyo last October, and they believe they can replicate that success while avoiding the uncertainty of a third-place play-off.
The team demonstrated their ability to bounce back after a lackluster first half, which saw their plans to win Group F fade when the Netherlands extended their lead against Tunisia. Japan took the lead with a brilliantly executed goal from Daizen Maeda, the Celtic forward who was brought back into the lineup, and for a time, Sweden struggled to cope with their dazzling combinations. However, a stunning long-range effort from Anthony Elanga ensured that everyone left satisfied, allowing Potter to celebrate with his staff at the final whistle.
“I’d have snapped his hand off, yeah!” he joked when asked how he would have reacted if Moriyasu had proposed a draw. Still, he was pleased with the outcome, which saw his team finish strong and nearly secure their own match against the Seleção when Alexander Isak’s late header struck 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 remarked. The opening half had been disappointing for neutral fans, who witnessed a peculiar match that seemed open yet barely elicited any excitement. Keita Nakamura’s shot just before the whistle, requiring a stretching save from Jacob Widell Zetterström, was the only noteworthy moment, and it felt as if time was being wasted.
Potter surprised many by selecting Widell Zetterström in goal, and he also included Elanga after the winger’s impactful performance against the Netherlands. Sweden’s 5-1 defeat in that match had undone the positive momentum from their emphatic victory over Tunisia, but at least they managed to tighten their defense in this game. An early setback came with an apparent hamstring injury to center-back Isak Hien, who had faced criticism for being outmatched by Brian Brobbey, though they held steady until Japan cranked up the intensity.
Ritsu Doan, the Eintracht Frankfurt winger, was instrumental in creating a sharp opener. He received a return pass from Ayase Ueda, who skillfully held the ball, and sent a precise first-time ball into the path of an aware Maeda. The finish was precise, placing Potter in a precarious position as he could not afford to lose by more than one goal.
He found relief less than six minutes later thanks to a remarkable goal from Elanga, who seized the ball on the right after Viktor Gyökeres had drawn Ao Tanaka out of position. Gyökeres’s intelligent run pulled Tanaka away from the action, allowing Elanga to cut inside and shoot. The ambitious strike, taken from a difficult angle, swerved dangerously, with Zion Suzuki appearing to misjudge it as it curled past him.
Potter highlighted Gyökeres’s efforts, who worked tirelessly throughout the match. “An outstanding performance from a centre-forward with his back to goal,” he noted. However, it was Isak’s near-post flick from a corner that nearly stole the spotlight in added time, hitting the woodwork after being redirected by an increasingly active Suzuki.
As Sweden contemplates potential matchups against Germany, France, or even Norway in the next round, Potter’s preparations could become more complex. Meanwhile, Japan and Moriyasu have a clearer path ahead and he could hardly contain his enthusiasm regarding the upcoming challenge.
“This is proof of the growth in Japanese football,” he stated, referring to the upcoming match against Ancelotti and his team, 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 further opportunities to emphasize their point when substitute Koki Ogawa shot over the bar, but their fate, as well as that of the match, was rarely in serious jeopardy.
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