Japan and Sweden booked their places in the FIFA World Cup knockout rounds after playing out a 1-1 draw in their final Group F match on Thursday.
Daizen Maeda fired Japan ahead in the 56th minute, but Anthony Elanga struck back six minutes later to ensure both sides secured qualification for the last 16.
Maeda opened the scoring after collecting a clever pass from Ritsu Doan inside the penalty area. The forward controlled the ball with his left foot before calmly finishing past Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström with his right.
Sweden responded quickly through Elanga, who produced a superb left-footed effort from outside the area to beat Zion Suzuki.
The goal was Elanga’s second of the tournament and helped Sweden avoid defeat.
The result saw Japan finish with seven goals in the group stage, the highest tally the nation has recorded at a single World Cup, surpassing the six goals scored during their run to the round of 16 in 2018
Japan have now progressed beyond the group stage for a third successive World Cup and for the fifth time in seven appearances since reaching the knockout rounds as co-hosts in 2002.
They finished second in Group F behind the Netherlands and will face Brazil in Houston on Monday.
Sweden also advanced, continuing a remarkable record that has seen them reach the knockout phase in each of their last four World Cup appearances dating back to 1994, when they reached the semifinals.
The Swedes nearly snatched victory in stoppage time when Elanga tested Suzuki with a powerful effort, forcing the goalkeeper into a diving save.
Moments later, Suzuki was called into action again, tipping Alexander Isak’s header into the air from a corner before leaping above a crowd of players to gather the loose ball and preserve the draw.
