Anthony Elanga’s dramatic collapse in frustration after Sweden’s 1-1 draw with Japan painted a picture of World Cup heartbreak, yet the reality was quite the opposite: his equaliser had, in fact, secured their place in the round of 32.
Despite finishing a point below second-placed Japan in Group F, Sweden progressed to the knockout stages as one of the higher-ranked third-placed teams.
Unaware of this crucial detail, Elanga was convinced his side needed a victory. He relentlessly urged his teammates to find a second goal, even battling through cramp, believing their World Cup journey was on the line.
“I just shouted, come on, we can go for more… I got cramp at the end but didn’t want to stop running,” he later explained, admitting he only learned of their qualification after the final whistle.
His intense focus earned him a gentle rebuke from teammate Alexander Isak.
“He got a little scolding from me there. He was a little frustrated at the end of the match and you can understand that now,” Isak told reporters.
Elanga was not alone in his confusion; goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, making his World Cup debut, confessed: “I was just as clueless.”
Sweden head coach Graham Potter could not help but smile at the striker’s endearing misunderstanding.
“It couldn’t have been any clearer for him. He’s obviously thinking about something else, bless him. I love him at the moment, but dear me,” he remarked to reporters.
Sweden must now wait to see who they will face in the round of 32 after finishing below the Netherlands and Japan in their group.
It was a mixed group stage campaign for Potter’s side, who thrashed Tunisia 5-1 in their opening game, only to lose by the same scoreline to the Dutch six days later.
They delivered a much-improved display against Japan on Thursday, but were unable to get the win that would have secured second spot in their group.
Japan are now set to face Brazil in the next round, while the Netherlands will take on Morocco, while Sweden have a little longer to wait to discover their fate.
