FIFA World Cup

JPN Japan Japan - SWE Sweden Sweden

Japan Japan

Sweden Sweden

62'
A. David Junior Elanga
D. Maeda
56'

Dallas Stadium(70,137 Spectators)

Ivan Arcides Barton Cisneros

Full-time: Japan 1-1 Sweden

Maeda opened the scoring for Japan just before the hour mark but Sweden responded well and equalised moments later through Elanga's superb strike from range. Potter's Sweden pushed for a winning goal and came close to finding one through Isak, but a 1-1 stalemate sees both teams advance to the round of 32. Japan as runner-up to the Netherlands, and Sweden as one of eight best third-placed teams.

End of second half

Full-time

90'

+ 4

Crossbar!

Ayari's corner is met by the head of Isak, who forces Suzuki into another save, tipping the ball onto the crossbar. Another golden opportunity goes begging for the Swedes.

90'

+ 4

Chance to win it!

Nygren finds Elanga who strikes the ball with his right foot this time, but Suzuki is alert to the situation and makes a fine save to keep the scores level.

90'

+ 1

Into added time

The fourth official has signalled an additional seven minutes. Can either side find a winner?

88'

Substitution

Carl Starfelt

Victor Lindelöf

88'

Last throw of the dice

Potter makes two changes, introducing Nygren and Starfelt in place of Gudmundsson and Lindelöf.

88'

Substitution

Benjamin Nygren

Gabriel Gudmundsson

86'

Gyökeres booked

The Arsenal forward goes into the book for halting Kamada, who protected the ball brilliantly.

85'

Yellow card

Viktor Gyökeres

83'

Half-chance for Japan!

Kamada clips in a dangerous cross from deep into the path of Ogawa but, at full stretch, the Japanese forward is unable to guide his effort on target.

81'

Sweden eye winner

Since going behind, the momentum has swung in Sweden's favour. Elanga's equaliser has turned their performance up a notch whilst the hydration break hasn't disrupted their play. Potter's side are on top here, and Japan are struggling to break out of their defensive block.

78'

Pushing for the go-ahead goal

Ayari clips the ball in, but Japan are able to clear their lines. Sweden then win a corner but Suzuki is able to punch clear. Sema then sees his follow-up effort blocked.

77'

Gyökeres halted

Substitute Taniguchi is shown Japan's first yellow for a foul on Gyökeres, which gives Sweden a free-kick in a dangerous position.

77'

Yellow card

Shōgo Taniguchi

76'

Changes for both teams

Borussia Dortmund's Svensson, and Sema, enter the fray for Sweden, whilst Nagatomo and Watanabe replace Nakamura and Seko for Japan.

75'

Substitution

Tsuyoshi Watanabe

Ayumu Seko

75'

Substitution

Yuto Nagatomo

Keito Nakamura

75'

Substitution

Ken Sema

Elliot Stroud

75'

Substitution

Daniel Svensson

Alexander Bernhardsson

73'

As things stand

With around 20 minutes remaining, Japan will play Brazil in the round of 32 while Sweden remain in a strong position to advance as one of eight best third-placed teams on four points.

71'

Play resumes

Suzuki gets play back under way.

69'

Hydration break

Play comes to a halt whilst both sets of players take on fluids. What a game we have here.

68'

Double change

Japan respond by making two changes with the introduction of Ito and Ogawa in place of Dōan and Ueda.

67'

Substitution

Junya Ito

Ritsu Dōan

66'

Substitution

Kōki Ogawa

Ayase Ueda

Equaliser!

What a response from Sweden! Elanga with an absolute beauty! A superb left-footed curling effort from outside of the area past Suzuki. It doesn't get much better than that.

62'

Anthony David Junior Elanga

GOAL!

1:1

Assist:V. Gyökeres

Goal probability

Goal probability determines the likelihood that the ball will land in the goal from every position on the pitch. The value is based on large amounts of data from previous years; factors such as shot angle, distance to goal and opponent pressure - as well as mathematical models.

2 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

26.3 m

Breakthrough!

Sugawara plays the ball, with pace, into the feet of Dōan who flicks the ball around the corner and plays a one-two with Ueda. Receiving the ball back, Japan's captain slots a superb through ball into the path of Maeda who makes no mistake in slotting the ball past Zetterström.

56'

Daizen Maeda

GOAL!

1:0

Assist:R. Dōan

Goal probability

31 %

Distance to Goal

The distance to goal is measured at the time of the shot - from the position of the ball to the center of the goal.

9.36 m

53'

Offside!

Dōan clips in a delicious ball towards the far post into the path of Kamada, who strikes the ball on the volley, forcing Zetterström into a point blank save. Sweden's custodian knew little about that, but Japan's No.15 was offside.

50'

Bergvall wins a corner

Down the other end, Bergvall wins a corner but Lagerbielke is unable to guide his header on target.

49'

Early sighter

Tanaka, who has been a central figure in Japan's midfield, takes aim from just outside of the D, but his effort sails over Zetterström's crossbar.

46'

As things stand

The Netherlands lead Tunisia 2-0 in the corresponding Group F fixture, meaning that Japan will play Brazil in the round of 32 and, as things stand, Sweden will progress to the knockout stages as one of eight best third-placed teams.

46'

Up and running

Japan get the second half under way. Who will find the breakthrough?

Kick-off!

Half-time: Japan 0-0 Sweden

Potter's Sweden started on the front foot but after riding the early wave of pressure, Japan grew in confidence and created the better chances. Maeda's glancing header was an early warning sign but the best chance arrived through Nakamura, who forced Zetterström into a superb save down low. It's all to play for in the second half.

Half-time

45'

+ 5

Cleared

Sweden are unable to capitalise on the chance, allowing Japan to clear.

45'

+ 4

Gyökeres forces corner

A chance for Sweden here just before the break after Gyökeres' effort takes two deflections.

45'

+ 1

Stoppage time

The fourth official has signalled five additional minutes.

45'

+ 1

Nakamura denied!

That's more like it! Maeda cushions the ball for Nakamura, who curls his right-footed effort in a crowded penalty area towards the bottom corner which leaves Zetterström scrambling. Sweden's No.1 tips the ball behind for a corner, which doesn't amount to anything.

40'

From range

Neither side has been able to create a clear-cut chance, but Sugawara tests Zetterström from distance with a low driven shot, although Sweden's custodian is equal to it.

39'

Another change

Japan make a change of their own. Taniguchi replaces former Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Itakura, who gives the armband to Dōan.

39'

Substitution

Shōgo Taniguchi

Kou Itakura

38'

Forced change

That's Hien's game over. The Atalanta defender is replaced by Bergvall, who slots into midfield, meaning that Lindelöf will drop into the back three.

37'

Substitution

Lucas Bergvall

Isak Hien

36'

Hien receives treatment

Sugawara whips in a dangerous cross which leaves the Swedish defence scrambling. Hien, in an attempt to intercept the ball, goes down with no one around him.

32'

First booking

Japan have plenty of pace in their front line and that was evident there. Ueda turns Hien and puts on the afterburners, but the Swedish defender halts Japan's attack and is shown the game's first yellow card.

32'

Yellow card

Isak Hien

31'

Route one

Sugawara plays a long diagonal ball into the path of Ueda, but the Feyenoord striker is unable to shrug off to Sweden defenders.

28'

Play resumes

We're back under way as both teams go in search of the lead.

Hydration break

Play comes to a halt whilst both sets of players take on fluids.

22'

Glancing header

Japan work it brilliantly down the left but Maeda glances his header over Zetterström's crossbar after a pinpoint cross from Nakamura.

Level pegging

There's nothing to separate the two nations so far. Sweden put Japan on the back foot in the opening exchanges, but the Samurai Blue have responded well in what's proving a physical battle in the middle.

15'

Shot blocked

Suzuki showcases his distribution by playing an inch-perfect ball onto the head of Ueda, who cushions it down as Japan initiate an attack which eventually leads to Dōan cutting inside, but the Frankfurt attacker sees his left-footed attempt blocked.

11'

Growing in confidence

After riding the early wave of Sweden pressure, Japan are starting to assert themselves into the game, in particular looking for a ball in behind for the pacey Maeda down the right flank.

It's all Sweden

Potter's side continue to press for the opening goal and their first shot arrives via Bernhardsson. The Holstein Kiel man cuts inside from the right and shoots towards goal with his left foot, but it's a tame effort which is saved comfortably by Suzuki.

Early possession

Sweden are getting a good feel for the ball in the opening exchanges. Ayari breaks the press but is halted by Dōan.

Stroud forces the corner

Sweden have started on the front foot. Attacking down their left, Stroud wins an early corner which is taken by Ayari but Suzuki is able to punch clear.

Off we go!

Sweden get the ball rolling..

Kick-off!

Kick-off approaching

The teams make their way out of the tunnel. We're moments away from the national anthems and a ball being kicked in Dallas, USA.

Warm-ups ongoing

After making his Sweden debut in January 2023, Holstein Kiel's Alexander Bernhardsson (l.) earns his 14th cap tonight, starting a third successive World Cup game.

Daichi Kamada in focus

The former Eintracht Frankfurt man has two goals to his name in North America. The current Crystal Palace player scored a late equaliser against the Netherlands on Matchday 1 before opening the scoring in Japan's 4-0 victory over Tunisia.

More on that Japan team

Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Ritsu Dōan (pictured) retains his place but, like Graham Potter, Hajime Moriyasu also makes three changes to his team. Bundesliga's Kaishu Sano (Mainz) drops to the bench in place for Werder Bremen's Yukinari Sugawara. Ayumu Seko replaces Takehiro Tomiyasu in defence and Daizen Maeda comes in for Junya Ito.

More on that Sweden team

Holstein Kiel's Alexander Bernhardsson (l.) retains his place but Graham Potter makes three changes to his Sweden team that suffered a 5-1 loss against the Netherlands on Matchday 2. It's the same back three, but Jacob Widell Zetterström replaces Kristoffer Nordfeldt in goal. Elliot Stroud and Anthony Elanga come in for Benjamin Nygren and Jesper Karlström.

Starting line-up: Japan

Formation:3-4-3

Japan subs

Osako, Hayakawa, Taniguchi, Nagatomo, Watanabe, Tomiyasu, Suzuki, Ito, Suzuki, Sano, Machino, Goto, Ogawa, Shiogai

Starting line-up: Sweden

Formation:3-4-3

Sweden subs

Johansson, Nordfeldt, Johansson, Svensson, Ekdal, Starfelt, Smith, Bergvall, Nygren, Sema, Karlstrom, Svanberg, Zeneli, Nilsson, Ali

Bundesliga stars contribute to Japan's Tunisia win

In that aforementioed win over Tunisia, Sano and Itakura both provided assists. Itakura, meanwhile, completed more passes than any other player with 85.

What's at stake?

Japan are second behind the Netherlands in Group F with four points, trailing the Dutch on goal difference. The Samurai Blue's big victory last time out means that even a narrow defeat here would very likely be enough to see them progress as one of the best eight third-placed teams. Sweden, meanwhile, need to win to finish in the top two. They could mathematically still claim top spot in the group with a win here, but only if the Dutch fail to beat Tunisia.

Last time out: Japan

Japan picked up their first win of the tournament as they proved too much for Tunisia in a 4-0 victory. Ex-Eintracht Frankfurt man Daichi Kamada was on the scoresheet, with Ritsu Dōan, Hiroki Ito, Ko Itakura, Yukinari Sugawara, Kaishū Sano and Yuito Suzuki all playing a part.

Last time out: Sweden

The Scandinavians were put to the sword by the Netherlands in their last outing, succumbing 5-1. Borussia Dortmund left-back Daniel Svensson and Wolfsburg's Mattias Svanberg were unused substitutes throughout.

Welcome!

Follow all of the action as Japan take on Sweden in the final game of Group F, kicking off at midnight CEST in Dallas.