Anthony Elanga's long-range strike rescues Sweden against Japan in World Cup draw

Anthony Elanga’s long-range strike turned a tense Group F match into a 1-1 draw and sent Sweden into the World Cup knockout rounds at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Newcastle United attacker leveled six minutes after Daizen Maeda had put Japan ahead, a goal that reshaped the table as much as it lifted the crowd.

The result came on Thursday, June 25, 2026, in the third match of Group F, when qualification pressure was still hanging over both sides. Sweden had arrived badly shaken by a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands in its previous group game, and Graham Potter’s team needed a response to keep its tournament alive. Elanga provided it with a curved shot from outside the penalty area that left the Japan goalkeeper with no chance.

Japan had taken control 10 minutes after halftime when Maeda broke the deadlock. For a brief spell, the advantage gave Japan the cleaner path through the group, but the lead lasted only until Elanga found space and bent his effort past the keeper. The equalizer changed the tactical balance immediately. Japan could no longer sit on the lead, while Sweden regained the point it needed to stay in contention.

The draw settled the group standings with finality. Japan finished second in Group F, and Sweden advanced as one of the best third-place teams. In tournament terms, that made Elanga’s shot a turning point rather than just a highlight: it preserved Sweden’s route into the knockout rounds and prevented the damage of the earlier loss to the Netherlands from becoming decisive.