Japan and Sweden both reach World Cup last 32 after Elanga’s strike seals draw

It was a result that served everybody but, even though the mutual convenience of a draw became evident rapidly, at least this game conjured up two moments to cherish. Japan guaranteed the runners-up spot that always seemed likely to be theirs and will face Brazil in Houston on Monday; a point was enough for third-placed Sweden to run the gauntlet of some head-spinning round-of-32 permutations that could pair them with France or their local rivals Norway. Graham Potter and Hajime Moriyasu could have been excused shaking on the outcome after a featureless first half. But this is Dallas, not Gijón ; the crowd were served a marvellously-worked goal by Daizen Maeda, quickly cancelled out by Anthony Elanga’s spectacular long-range strike. Potter had wanted his team to manage the fine margins after Sweden’s wildly fluctuating start to the tournament and could, by the end, embrace his staff knowing the job was done. Sweden had been bright enough going forward in losing to the Netherlands , which punctured the burgeoning optimism fostered by their similar win against Tunisia . The biggest problems were defensive and Potter needed the right balance this time. Elanga, who had scored their consolation in that rout, was one of three newcomers and Victor Lindelöf was enlisted with screening the backline. Within a minute Elanga and the left wing-back Elliot Stroud, another granted his first World Cup start, had won corners. …