Japan and Sweden draw 1-1 to both advance; Netherlands roll past Tunisia 3-1 to top Group F

Japan and Sweden share the spoils

Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead in the 56th minute, finishing an exquisite team move after being freed by Ritsu Doan. The goal was Japan’s seventh of the tournament, the most they have ever scored in a World Cup group stage. Sweden equalised six minutes later when Anthony Elanga, introduced into the starting lineup by coach Graham Potter, cut in from the right and curled a left‑foot strike past the unsighted Zion Suzuki. Both goals came after a tepid first half in which Keito Nakamura’s low drive forced a full‑stretch save from Jacob Widell Zetterstrom moments before the interval.

I had the feeling throughout the game that I wanted to do something today. I really have to thank Graham for the confidence he’s given me since day one. I’m happy I scored, of course I want to win, but in the end everyone shouted at me that we need to get one point.

Netherlands ease past Tunisia

The Dutch led inside three minutes when Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri turned a Denzel Dumfries cross into his own net. Brian Brobbey doubled the lead in the seventh minute with his third goal of the tournament. Hazem Mastouri pulled one back with a header early in the second half, but Jan Paul van Hecke’s 62nd‑minute header deflected off Anis Slimane to restore the two‑goal cushion. The 3‑1 win leaves Virgil van Dijk and his teammates top of Group F with seven points and a last‑32 date against Morocco in Monterrey.

Group F final standings

Japan finish second on five points and remain unbeaten in the group. They will face five‑time champions Brazil in Houston on Monday. Sweden, with four points, sneak into the knockout phase as one of the eight best third‑placed teams, an opponent still to be determined. Tunisia exit with three defeats, no points and a goal difference of minus ten.

Sweden’s rollercoaster ride

Sweden’s campaign began with a 5‑1 win over Tunisia and then a 5‑1 loss to the Netherlands. Potter made several changes for the Japan game: Zetterstrom replaced Kristoffer Nordfeldt in goal, Victor Lindelof moved into midfield and Elanga started. The winger repaid the faith with the equaliser. Potter’s in‑game adjustments included dropping Lindelof into defence after Isak Hien’s injury and later replacing Lindelof due to cramp. Sweden have now reached the knockout stage in each of their last four World Cup appearances, going back to the 1994 semi‑finals.

If you’ve got the players with you, if you’ve got support from people outside, then you’ve got a chance. You make a change and we lose and you guys are coming after me, that’s the life. But, at the same time, I’ve been doing this for quite a while and you have to do what you think is right, and I’ll live and die by that.

Tunisia’s nightmare exit

Tunisia arrived at the World Cup having conceded no goals in qualifying, but their tournament unravelled quickly. The 12 goals they conceded in the group stage are a World Cup record for the expanded 48‑team event. After a 5‑1 opening loss to Sweden, coach Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed and replaced by Hervé Renard. A 4‑0 defeat by Japan left Renard “ashamed”, and the Dutch loss sealed a winless exit. Defensive mistakes recurred; the own goal against the Netherlands came on just the third minute and mirrored earlier lapses.

We weren’t up to par. We are not at the level for this World Cup, this is clear, there is no discussion. Now the federation of Tunisia needs to sit down, analyse everything, it’s important.