Japan vs – Japan and Sweden locked in a 1-1 draw on June 25 in Arlington, Texas, securing Japan’s place in the round of 32 and sending Sweden through as well. Japan took the lead in the 58th minute through Daizen Maeda after a Ritsu Doan assist, before Anthony Elanga sco
ARLINGTON, Texas — The setting sun was creeping toward AT&T Stadium as Japan and Sweden fought for something more than pride: a cleaner path into the World Cup knockout round.
When the whistle finally came from Ivan Barton on Thursday, June 25, it left the score at 1-1. Japan punched its ticket to the World Cup knockout stage with the draw, and Sweden also advanced as a third-place finisher.
Japan scored first in the 58th minute, with Ritsu Doan setting up Daizen Maeda. Sweden responded six minutes later with a stunner from Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga, who put the Swedes level and scored Sweden’s only goal for the second straight match.
For Japan, the draw felt like both a confirmation and a warning. The Samurai Blue had tried to win the group and catch the Netherlands for top spot in Group F, but couldn’t solve Sweden goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström, who kept Japan at bay despite the team firing eight shots on the night.
The broader Group F outcome had already taken shape around the match. The Netherlands won Group F, finishing ahead of Japan, Sweden and Tunisia. With Japan advancing, the draw determined a key next step: Japan will face Brazil in Houston in the next round. Sweden also advanced to the knockout stage.
On the field, the match stretched and tightened in cycles, with both teams pushing for the next goal late. Japan tried to build patiently, then altered its lineup as the game entered the final stretch. Ritsu Doan came off, with Junya Ito coming in. Ayase Ueda was replaced by Koki Ogawa up top. Japan also made other substitutions, including Tsuyoshi Watanabe in for Seko and Nagatomo in for Nakamura.
Sweden, for its part, used changes to keep control under pressure. Bernhardsson came out with Sema coming in, and Stroud was replaced by Svensson as Sweden searched for the go-ahead goal.
The tension wasn’t only in the scoreboard. At AT&T Stadium, FIFA’s venue makeover ahead of the tournament typically covers signage and creates a world-class pitch. This time, it went further: organizers installed curtains.
They were in use for the first time during the tournament on June 25, with organizers concerned the setting sun—scheduled to complete its nightly routine at 8:40 p.m. local time—could create issues for the on-field action that was set to kick off at 6 p.m. local.
That matters because the margin in football often isn’t just skill. It can be sightlines, timing, and the ability to keep the ball moving cleanly when conditions change.
Japan’s match was also shaped by a moment early and another shift just before halftime. In the first half. both teams went into the break scoreless. with Sweden having the better opportunities in the first five minutes and the last 10 or so. while Japan controlled the rest and found more joy on the left side of its attack.
Before halftime, Nakamura pushed a low, driven shot toward the bottom corner, but Jacob Widell Zetterström arrived diving across the face of goal and kept it out. In the final minute of stoppage time, Japan pushed again, and Ivan Barton’s final whistle sent both teams to the locker room at 0-0.
The second half brought the goals—and with them, the clear consequences for what came next. After Sweden equalized, Japan found chances again, including a through ball that found Maeda in the box, and another scramble where a cross from Daichi Kamada eventually forced Sweden to clear.
Sweden’s late pressure continued, too. After a free kick sent to Lagerbielke at the top of the box, his header went off target. Japan then tried to make its own late entries from set pieces and counter moments. including a pressure sequence in the final third where a pass from Daichi Kamada to Ogawa struck the forward’s shin and soared over the goal.
With everything balanced at 1-1, the group table and the Netherlands’ earlier success added another layer of stakes. The match screens reflected Tunisia’s goal on a corner kick, and that kept the Netherlands atop the group with Japan in second, Sweden in third, and Tunisia propping up Group F.
For Japan, the draw meant advancing, but it also meant recalibrating for what’s next rather than locking in the cleanest possible position. For Sweden, the point was enough to move on, even after the opening setback in the group—an earlier 5-1 loss to the Netherlands on June 20.
Sweden had bounced back from that defeat, and it had now secured progression after its 1-1 result in Arlington.
Beyond the match itself, the draw still had a practical finish line: Japan and Sweden were both heading to the round of 32, with Japan’s next opponent set as Brazil in Houston.
Japan Sweden draw June 25 World Cup Group F Brazil Houston knockout stage AT&T Stadium curtains