It gets out of hand when Hajime Moriyasu's fine generation of Japanese players play the ball. A little too fast for it to be healthy for a newly assembled Swedish eleven unless defense was made the top priority.
Graham Potter focused on sealing the gaps that leaked badly against the Netherlands. The wing play was strengthened with Elliot Stroud on the left and Gabriel Gudmundsson as one of three central defenders. In the centre was Victor Nilsson Lindelöf as a defensive midfielder. The task was to protect the back line of defence.
But the best defence is always attack, to have and take care of the ball. Cliché? Sure. But also an obvious truth. The Swedish attacks were short, Yasin Ayari knocked the ball away. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres barely touched it.
Hien injured
It was in Dallas, like in Berlin long ago and in another time. Japanese, Japanese and Japanese coming running everywhere. Isak Hien pulled down Ayase Ueda and was warned. Even worse - Hien limped out shortly afterwards with a thigh injury. It looked really bad.
"A blow for us. But we withdrew Victor (Nilsson Lindelöf) and brought in Lucas (Bergvall). I have no information about Hien's injury," Graham Potter said to SVT during the break.
Bergvall, who despite a threat of suspension hanging over him, carelessly entered the duels. The national team gasped for breath. Widell Zetterström stretched out his long body and tipped Keito Nakamura's effort wide.
When Gyökeres finally got a chance, he took it, but the shot was deflected for a corner.
In the end, it was impossible to resist. Daizen Maeda finished Ritsu Doan's perfect pass from deep. But Sweden pulled back. Sweden got an opening into the match.
Elanga, who got the chance from the start, scored the equaliser - and suddenly the national team was guaranteed a place in the round of 16 as one of the eight best group third-place teams.
Nilsson Lindelöf with cramp
Alexander Isak was extremely close to 2–1, but Zion Suzuki saved it. The match was tied with fifteen minutes left. Daniel Svensson and Ken Sema were replaced by Alexander Bernhardsson and Stroud.
Who wanted to win the most?
Sweden showed the greatest courage, launching several attacks in pursuit of the goal that secured second place in the group and a round of 16 spot in Houston.
It could just as easily have gone the other way, and an uncertain wait for three points and a negative goal difference would have been enough for Sweden to continue.
Nilsson Lindelöf had a cramp, Carl Starfelt came in and Benjamin Nygren replaced Gabriel Gudmundsson with just minutes left.
Isak was again close to heading in a winning goal in extra time.
But 1-1 stood and the World Cup adventure continues against an as-yet-unknown opponent and venue.
