Anthony Elanga has put pain in a post-match interview down to not realising his goal against Japan would send Sweden to the World Cup 2026 knockout stage. On his full finals debut, Elanga scored for a second consecutive match to earn the Blagult a 1-1 draw in their closing group stage contest and a last-32 meeting with France, Norway, Germany or Switzerland.I got a cramp at the end but I didnt want to stop, said Elanga, whose side recovered from a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands on matchday two to finish third in Group F, on four points.I have cramp, so it hurts while Im standing here. I was just screaming come on we can go for more. I screamed it in English.I didnt know at the end that we were through. They tried to scream at me beforehand that we only needed one point. I just wanted to keep running.Table of ContentsSweden vs Japan: Elanga World Cup goal instinctiveWorld Cup 2026: Isak Hien didnt look greatSweden World Cup fixtures: All big teamsAnthony Elanga stats: Sweden, NewcastleSweden vs Japan: Elanga World Cup goal instinctiveCeltics Daizen Maeda had put Japan ahead and Swedens progress in doubt six minutes before Elanga, who cost Newcastle �52 million from Nottingham Forest last July, took on two players and cut inside from the right before finding the far corner of the net with an exquisite long-range curler in the 62nd minute in Arlington.It was more instinctive, Elanga said. Instinctively, you train on things like this every single day.The coaches will tell you this is something I work on every single day and, when youre in situations like that, its more about just focusing on the contact more than the shot.It set the tone of the game and we had the momentum until the end. We could have created more opportunities and scored.PWDLFAGDPointsNetherlands3210104+67Japan312073+45Sweden31117704Tunisia3003212-100World Cup 2026: Isak Hien didnt look greatSweden head coach Graham Potter changed three players, bringing in Elanga for Benjamin Nygren, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom for goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt and Elliot Stroud for Jesper Karlstrom in midfield.Im happy to get to start because representing Sweden at this tournament is the greatest thing there is, said Elanga, who called Isak Hien important after the Atalanta defender was forced off when he appeared to overstretch during the first half.I havent seen him yet but it didnt look too great. Im happy for the sake of everyone who played and Im going to check on on Isak.Sweden World Cup fixtures: All big teamsSwedens showing was respectable against a Japan side who are 10 matches unbeaten, having defeated teams including Brazil and England in friendlies before drawing 2-2 with the Netherlands at the finals and thrashing Tunisia 4-0.Every game is a challenge, Elanga said of the prospect of being underdogs in the knockout phase. Youve seen Japan, who are unbeaten in a long time. France, Germany, Norway theyre all big teams, so weve just got to take what comes and focus on that.Anthony Elanga stats: Sweden, NewcastleElanga did not score in the Premier League last season and contributed a single assist in the top flight, although he scored twice in the Champions League with a double in the Magpies 7-2 closing defeat at Barcelona.The 27-year-old also netted in Newcastles final match of their EFL Cup title defence, losing 3-1 at Manchester City.He has been comparatively prolific for Sweden, scoring five times in his last 13 appearances including the opener in their World Cup play-off against Poland in March, when they won 3-2 at home to reach the finals. Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Alexander Isak Anthony Elanga FIFA World Cup Graham Potter Japan National Football Team Sweden men's national football team Sweden National Football Team Viktor Gyokeres World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Algeria v Austria: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Ben Miller 26th June, 2026 USA boss Pochettino bristles after World Cup defeat: Your question is weird Ben Miller 26th June, 2026 DR Congo v Uzbekistan: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Ben Miller 26th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full fixtures, dates, games, schedule and results from FIFA football finals Ben Miller 26th June, 2026 Japan 1-1 Sweden Both sides through after tepid draw Tom Rostance 26th June, 2026 Japan v Sweden: Teams confirmed for crunch match Tom Rostance 25th June, 2026
