local
Japan and Sweden play to 1-1 draw as both advance to knockout round at the World Cup
By Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 26, 2026
· 3 min read
Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead and Anthony Elanga took it away six minutes later, helping Sweden to a 1-1 draw Thursday night that sent both teams to the knockout round of the World Cup.Elanga’s impressive left-footed strike from just outside the right corner of the box in the 62nd minute was h...
Key takeaway Elanga has scored only three goals in 49 games for Newcastle, but zero in 32 Premier League matches.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
With Japan set to face Brazil in Houston on Monday, local soccer fans are in for a treat. The match promises to bring a surge of excitement to the city, as the Japanese team looks to build on its impressive group stage performance. As Japan advances to the knockout round for the third consecutive World Cup, their presence in Houston is a testament to the city's growing reputation as a hub for international soccer. The sold-out crowd that witnessed the Japan-Sweden draw is a preview of what can be expected at the match against Brazil, with the Blue Samurai's enthusiastic fans likely to make their presence felt at the stadium. As the city gears up to host this high-profile match, local businesses and residents can expect a boost in activity, with fans from across the region flocking to Houston to catch a glimpse of the action.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Daizen Maeda gave Japan the lead and Anthony Elanga took it away six minutes later, helping Sweden to a 1-1 draw Thursday night that sent both teams to the knockout round of the World Cup.Elanga’s impressive left-footed strike from just outside the right corner of the box in the 62nd minute was h...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Schuyler Dixon, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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