Japan and Sweden both reach World Cup last 32 after Elanga’s strike seals draw

It was a result that served everybody but, even though the mutual convenience of a draw became evident rapidly, at least this game conjured up two moments to cherish. Japan guaranteed the runners-up spot that always seemed likely to be theirs and will face Brazil in Houston on Monday; a point was enough for third-placed Sweden to run the gauntlet of some head-spinning round-of-32 permutations that could pair them with France or their local rivals Norway.Graham Potter and Hajime Moriyasu could have been excused shaking on the outcome after a…