Japan drew 1-1 with Sweden in the final round of Group F at the FIFA World Cup on early Friday ( Finnish time), securing a place in the round of 32 as group runner-up and setting up a knockout-stage showdown with Brazil, reported Xinhua.
Sweden also progressed as one of the tournament's eight best third-placed teams.
Japan entered the match second in the group on four points from one win and one draw, while Sweden was third with three points. The encounter marked the first World Cup meeting between the two teams.
Both coaches made minor adjustments to their starting lineups. Japan's Kai Sano dropped to the bench after starting the first two matches, while Sweden handed Anthony Elanga a start after the winger scored as a substitute against the Netherlands in the previous round.
Japan controlled much of the first half, patiently probing the Swedish defense and creating the better chances. The Samurai Blue registered four shots, including two on target, while Sweden managed only one effort.
The breakthrough arrived in the 56th minute through a flowing team move. Yukinari Sugawara combined with Ritsu Doan and Ayase Ueda before captain Wataru Endo threaded a precise pass into the path of Daizen Maeda, who finished clinically to give Japan a 1-0 lead.
Sweden equalized almost immediately through Elanga. Collecting the ball on the right flank, the winger cut inside and unleashed a powerful strike beyond goalkeeper Zion Suzuki to level the score at 1-1 and net his second goal of the tournament.
Sweden came within inches of a winner in stoppage time when Alexander Isak glanced a header toward goal from Yasin Ayari's corner, but Suzuki reacted brilliantly to tip the ball onto the crossbar.
Neither side was able to find a winner in the closing stages as the match ended all square.
The result sent Japan through to the knockout stage for the third consecutive World Cup. Japan has now advanced from the group stage for the fifth time in its last seven World Cup appearances, but has never progressed beyond the round of 16.
Sweden, a four-time World Cup semifinalist and runner-up in 1958, also advanced after finishing third in Group F with four points.
In the other Group F match, the Netherlands defeated already-eliminated Tunisia 3-1 to finish top of the group with seven points. Japan finished second on five points.
Japan will face Group C winner Brazil in the round of 32, while the Netherlands is set to take on Morocco. Sweden's round-of-32 opponent remains undecided.
Already-eliminated Türkiye stun US in last second
Already-eliminated Türkiye stunned co-host United States, which had already secured top spot in Group D, 3-2 here on Friday morning (Finnish time) in their World Cup group finale.
Türkiye snatched the winner in the final seconds of stoppage time through veteran defender Kaan Ayhan, who finished from close range after a scramble in the penalty area.
It was the first time the two sides had met at a World Cup. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes, resting midfielder Tyler Adams, forward Folarin Balogun, center-back Chris Richards and left-back Antonee Robinson, all of whom were one yellow card away from suspension. Türkiye also rotated heavily, making seven changes to its starting lineup.
The Americans made a flying start through defender Auston Trusty after only three minutes. Assisted by midfielder Sebastian Berhalter following a corner, Trusty fired a powerful shot from a tight angle into the bottom right corner.
Trusty has secured a Scottish league and cup double with Celtic. The 27-year-old represented the United States on the global stage at both the U17 and U20 levels and scored his first FIFA World Cup goal in just his 10th appearance at senior level.
Türkiye leveled in the 10th minute, when Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler was left unmarked in the middle of the box after a slick team move and found the net from close range.
Guler, aged 21 years and 120 days, became Türkiye's youngest FIFA World Cup goalscorer, surpassing Emre Belozoglu, who was 21 years and 275 days when he played against Costa Rica in 2002.
It was also Türkiye's first goal at this World Cup after it had lost 2-0 to Australia and 1-0 to Paraguay in Group D.
In the 31st minute, Türkiye took the lead with another quick attack full of sharp passes and crosses. Baris Alper Yilmaz applied the finish at the goalmouth to give his side a 2-1 lead.
Both sides focused more on attacking than defending. Shortly before Türkiye's second goal, a U.S. effort was ruled out for offside.
The attacking trend continued in the second half. Berhalter's powerful strike from outside the box tied the score in the 49th minute and lifted the American crowd to its feet.
The co-host United States has now scored eight goals at the 2026 finals, surpassing its previous best of seven in 1930 and 2002.
U.S. star forward Christian Pulisic sat on the bench in the first half and was sent on in the 58th minute. He has been battling a left calf injury since sustaining a knock on June 10. He attempted to play through the injury two days later, but was kicked in the same place in the Paraguay game.
Despite the win, Türkiye is heading home. In the round of 32, the United States will face Bosnia and Herzegovina in San Francisco on July 1.
Netherlands beat Tunisia, qualifying for round of 32 as Group winner
The Netherlands scored twice in the opening seven minutes on its way to a 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday (US local time), clinching top spot in Group F and setting up a round-of-32 clash with Morocco.
The Netherlands arrived at Kansas City Stadium with four points from two matches after drawing with Japan and beating Sweden. Japan, also on four points, sat second on goal difference.
Already eliminated after losing both group matches, Tunisia had been urged by coach Herve Renard to play with pride and dignity. Ismael Gharbi had an early chance two minutes in but failed to convert.
The Dutch broke the deadlock a minute later when Tunisia's Ellyes Skhiri turned a low cross from Denzel Dumfries into his own net. Brian Brobbey doubled the lead four minutes later, following a Virgil van Dijk header that set him up for a low finish. It was Brobbey's third goal of the tournament.
The Netherlands dominated much of the match, but Tunisia pulled one back in the 54th minute when Hazem Mastouri was left unmarked and headed home from a corner. Jan Paul van Hecke scored his first international goal in the 62nd minute to restore the two-goal lead.
Tijjani Reijnders nearly added a fourth in the 68th minute after Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen failed to punch the ball clear. Reijnders collected inside the box but saw his effort denied by the crossbar.
"I found it tough when you play against a team like that who play very deep or behind the ball," Van Hecke told the mixed zone. "Luckily we scored early twice, that's of course great. It also gives you some peace of mind. Now of course I'm a really happy man [for scoring] and hopefully I can be even more happy."
"It's going to be a nice battle [against Morocco]. We are ready for it," said Brobbey.
In the other Group F match, Japan and Sweden played to a 1-1 draw. Japan finished second and will face Group C winner Brazil in the round of 32, while Sweden qualified as one of the eight best third-placed teams with four points.
Australia advance after Paraguay stalemate
Australia advanced to the FIFA World Cup knockout stage after a goalless draw with Paraguay in their final Group D match on Friday morning (Finnish time).
Jordan Bos produced Australia's clearest attacking moments, forcing Orlando Gill into a first-half save before later shooting just wide after driving into the penalty area. Paraguay's biggest chance came in the 83rd minute when Jackson Irvine blocked Julio Enciso's goal-bound effort.
The Socceroos finished second in the group behind the United States. Paraguay, third on four points, looked set to advance as one of the top-ranked third-placed teams, pending the outcome of later group matches.
Australia made the brighter start at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and almost profited after four minutes when Irvine met a crisp move involving Alessandro Circati and Cristian Volpato, drawing a low save from Gill.
Paraguay defended with five across the back and allowed Australia long spells on the ball while looking to break quickly through Enciso. Bos and Volpato combined effectively on the right, creating Australia's best opportunities before halftime.
Australia's set-piece delivery lacked accuracy and Harry Souttar was unable to capitalize on the aerial chances that came his way. Connor Metcalfe later required treatment after taking a boot to the face during a midfield challenge.
Tony Popovic's men remained on the front foot before the interval. Bos forced another save from Gill after cutting inside from the right, while Volpato curled an effort at the goalkeeper. Irvine then guided a header over the crossbar from Bos' cross in stoppage time as the teams went into the break scoreless.
Paraguay returned with greater urgency after halftime and enjoyed its strongest spell of the match. Enciso began finding space between the lines and repeatedly drove at Australia's defense, while halftime substitute Mauricio helped his side retain possession in midfield.
Australia continued to threaten on the counterattack. Nestory Irankunda fired over from a tight angle after breaking into the area before Bos drove into the penalty area from the right and drilled a shot narrowly wide.
The closing stages saw Australia drop deeper as Paraguay controlled more of the ball without creating a clear opening. Enciso remained the visitors' greatest threat, drawing one block from Irvine before sending another effort wide.
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
