Japan and Sweden booked their places in the knockout phase of the World Cup as they drew 1-1 in their final Group F clash in Dallas.
The point sends Japan through in second place behind the Netherlands with Sweden top of the third-place teams, dealing another blow to Scotland’s hopes of reaching the last 32.
Celtic’s Daizen Maeda headed wide in a first half of few clear chances, Japan gradually getting on top without delivering the decisive final ball.
Yukinari Sugawara drove in a low shot which was easily dealt with by Jacob Widell Zetterstrom with nobody able to get on the end of Keito Nakamura’s cross after he had beaten Alexander Bernhardsson.
The game opened up after the break, Widell Zetterstrom producing an excellent save to keep out a volley from the unmarked Ayase Ueda, although the offside flag went up.
But the Swedish goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Japan taking the lead after 55 minutes, Maeda rounding off a sweeping move which saw Ritsu Doan exchange passes with Ueda before sliding a pass through the Swedish defence.
Japan’s lead lasted just six minutes, Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga cutting in from the right and curling a low strike past Zion Suzuki and inside the far post.
Suzuki kept out a good strike from Alexander Isak two minutes later and kept out efforts from the Liverpool striker and Elanga in stoppage time as Sweden applied late pressure.
