An unusual episode occurred at the end of the clash between Sweden and Japan, which ended in a 1-1 draw in the final round of Group F of the World Cup. Anthony Elanga, who scored the Swedish goal, fell to the pitch with a sad expression after the final whistle, convinced that his team was eliminated from the tournament. The striker was informed about Sweden’s qualification for the round of 16 just a few moments after the game ended.
The origin of the atypical situation lay in the complex web of results needed in the group. To advance, the Swedish team needed to score points against Japan and wait for a favorable outcome in the parallel match between Tunisia and the Netherlands. Although the draw ensured the minimum score for progression in the championship, the intense pressure of simultaneous decisions in the group stage of the World Cup made it difficult for players to make real-time calculations about the final scenario, which prevented Elanga from realizing that the score was enough.
Images captured shortly after the end of the match reveal the player with an expression of total discouragement, without any sign of celebration for the place he had won, as he remained sitting on the field, with his hands over his face. Anthony Elanga’s perplexity was so noticeable that even coach Graham Potter expressed surprise. The coach made a point of commenting on what happened during the post-game press conference.
Coach Graham Potter reacts to player’s confusion
“That makes a few things clear, doesn’t it? The situation couldn’t be more explicit for everyone. He was clearly focused on another outcome. I have great affection for him now, but, frankly! What a situation. We informed him later,” said coach Graham Potter.
With the final result, the Swedish team ended its participation in the group stage in third place in Group F, behind the teams from the Netherlands and Japan. Despite this, it secured its place in the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams. The Swedish team is now awaiting the definition of the next clashes to find out which opponent they will face in the next stage of the championship.