Daizen Maeda today: Japan set up Brazil clash after Sweden draw

Daizen Maeda scored for Japan against Sweden at Dallas Stadium on Thursday, June 26, before Anthony Elanga answered in a 1-1 draw that sent both teams into the World Cup Round of 32. Japan finished second in Group F with five points and earned a knockout meeting with Brazil in Houston, while Sweden advanced from third place on four points.

The result mattered because it turned a cagey group finale into a clean survival story for both sides. For Japan, Maeda’s goal confirmed their attacking patterns can still break open tight matches; for Sweden, Elanga’s response kept Graham Potter’s side alive after a wildly uneven group stage.

The Full Story

Japan and Sweden arrived at Dallas Stadium with qualification still shaping the mood of Group F. Japan could guarantee automatic progress with a win or draw, while Sweden needed a victory for a direct knockout place or enough points to survive as one of the best third-placed teams. The Netherlands were also in the mix for the group lead and later finished top with seven points.

The first half carried the tension of a match where a draw had real value. Keito Nakamura produced Japan’s clearest early moment just before halftime, forcing Jacob Widell Zetterstrom into a full-stretch save after a layoff from Maeda. Sweden’s attack, built around Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, had little rhythm before the break.

The match changed in the second half when Japan raised the tempo. Ritsu Doan, cutting in from the right, combined with Ayase Ueda and slipped a pass through the Swedish centre-backs. Maeda, recalled in Japan’s attack and identified by multiple reports as the Celtic forward, finished the move calmly to put Japan ahead.

Sweden were level six minutes later. Elanga cut inside from the right and curled a left-footed strike past Zion Suzuki, a goal measured by Yahoo Sports Canada at 28.9 metres. That made Elanga the first Sweden international to score in consecutive World Cup matches since Martin Dahlin and Kennet Andersson in 1994.

Japan then needed Suzuki’s late saves to protect the point. CBS Sports reported an attendance of 70,137, and those fans saw Sweden push hard in the closing stages, with Isak denied and later seeing a header turned onto the bar. The draw left Japan second, Sweden third, and Tunisia eliminated without a point.

Who's Involved

Daizen Maeda was the key figure for Japan because his movement finished the best team move of the match. Ritsu Doan created the opening by driving in from the right and finding the pass that split Sweden’s back line, while Ayase Ueda helped connect the move in tight space.

Anthony Elanga changed Sweden’s night with the equaliser. Graham Potter had brought him into the side after his scoring contribution against the Netherlands, and the winger delivered again when Sweden most needed a moment from open play.

Zion Suzuki also became central to the story. CBS Sports described him as Japan’s starting goalkeeper and highlighted his late saves, including stops against Isak and Elanga, as Japan protected second place before facing Brazil.

Round of 32

The first knockout stage reached by Japan and Sweden after the expanded group phase.

Best third-placed teams

The route that allowed Sweden to advance with four points despite finishing third in Group F.

Group F

The group won by the Netherlands, with Japan second, Sweden third and Tunisia fourth.

By the Numbers

1-1 was the final score in Dallas, with Maeda scoring first and Elanga equalising. Japan finished on five points, Sweden on four, the Netherlands on seven, and Tunisia on zero.

Elanga’s goal travelled 28.9 metres, making it the second-longest Sweden World Cup goal recorded since 1966, behind Anders Svensson’s 30.9-metre strike against Argentina in 2002. Those numbers show why Sweden could rescue a match where their main strikers had been contained for long stretches.

What This Means

For Japan, the draw was not just about getting through. Their second-place finish sets up Brazil in Houston, a difficult early knockout match that The Guardian called a clash with no business arriving so soon. CBS Sports also noted Brazil’s attack includes Vinicius Jr., who had four goals through three World Cup games.

The wider significance is clear: Japan have reached the knockout rounds in each of the last two World Cups but have not advanced past the round of 16, according to CBS Sports. Suzuki’s late concentration and Maeda’s finishing give Hajime Moriyasu’s team two practical reasons to believe they can challenge Brazil.

Sweden’s meaning is different. Potter’s team went from a 5-1 win over Tunisia to a 5-1 defeat against the Netherlands, then found enough structure to hold Japan. That is not smooth progress, but it is progress, and it keeps Sweden alive after a group stage that swung hard in both directions.

What to Expect

Japan are set to face Brazil in Houston in the Round of 32. The Guardian and Al Jazeera both identify that matchup as Japan’s next test after finishing second in Group F.

Sweden must wait for their confirmed opponent after advancing as a third-placed side. The New York Times reported that Sweden did not yet know their next opponent, venue or date immediately after the match, while other reports listed several possible opponents depending on the wider third-place picture.

People Also Ask

Who scored for Japan against Sweden?

Daizen Maeda scored for Japan in the second half at Dallas Stadium. He finished a move created by Ritsu Doan after a return pass from Ayase Ueda.

What was the Japan vs Sweden World Cup score?

Japan and Sweden drew 1-1 in their Group F finale. Maeda gave Japan the lead before Anthony Elanga equalised six minutes later.

Did Japan qualify for the World Cup knockout stage?

Yes. Japan finished second in Group F with five points and advanced to the Round of 32, where they are set to face Brazil in Houston.

Did Sweden qualify after drawing with Japan?

Yes. Sweden finished third in Group F with four points, enough to secure one of the best third-placed spots in the next stage.

Why was Anthony Elanga’s goal significant?

Elanga’s equaliser kept Sweden from losing and helped seal their knockout place. Yahoo Sports Canada reported it was struck from 28.9 metres, the second-longest Sweden World Cup goal recorded since 1966.

Who was Japan’s goalkeeper against Sweden?

Zion Suzuki started in goal for Japan. CBS Sports credited him with multiple key late saves that helped Japan preserve the draw and second place in Group F.