Japan and Sweden progress with drawpublished at 07:31 BST 26 June
Japan 1-1 Sweden
Chris McKenna
BBC Sport reporter
Japan and Sweden both progress after ending level
Anthony Elanga scored a second-half stunner to secure a last-32 spot for Sweden as they came from behind to earn a point against Japan.
Celtic's Daizen Maeda put Japan into the lead in the 56th minute following a lovely move, with Ayase Ueda and Ritsu Doan playing a one-two before the latter teed up the goalscorer.
The first half had been quiet, with both teams seemingly content with a goalless draw as the game lacked energy.
But that changed after the break and, within six minutes of Japan's goal, Elanga levelled the game for Sweden.
The Newcastle United winger - making his first start of this World Cup - stepped in from the left before firing a powerful strike from the angle of the box past Japan keeper Zion Suzuki, who appeared to see the ball late and could not keep it out.
The pace in the game fizzled out somewhat following the second-half hydration break but Elanga and Alexander Isak did force two good saves from Suzuki in stoppage time as Japan held on to their second place in the group.






