World Cup 2026 / Japan 0 - 0 Sweden: everything still to play for at halftime!

Japan and Sweden cancel each other out at the break

World Cup 2026 25 June 2026 at 20:01

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World Cup 2026 / Japan 0 - 0 Sweden: everything still to play for at halftime!

CDM 2026 / Japan 0 - 0 Sweden: everything still to play for at halftime!

25.06.26 FT World Cup

Japan

Sweden

The suspense remains high in Group F. After a tightly contested first half, Japan and Sweden head to the dressing rooms with a goalless draw (0-0). Both sides, fully aware of the stakes, focused above all on not leaving themselves exposed ahead of what promises to be a decisive second half.

It's goalless at halftime between Japan and Sweden at the Dallas Stadium. The opening period was particularly cagey and tactical, with both teams showing great caution driven by the pressure of direct qualification for the round of 16.

Japan dominated possession, holding 57%, but struggled to break through the Swedish defense. The best chances fell to the Samurai Blue: a Maeda header over the bar (23rd), a harmless shot from Sugawara (41st), and above all, a superb curling effort from Nakamura denied by Zetterström (45th). Gyökeres responded in stoppage time, forcing Suzuki into action.

However, two setbacks marked this first half. Isak Hien, who was booked (32nd), then suffered an injury and had to make way for Lucas Bergvall (37th), forcing Potter to reshuffle his back line. Japanese captain Itakura also had to leave the pitch prematurely. Everything remains up for grabs in this decisive second half.