One thing's for sure with Potter's crazy Swedish rollercoaster... it always ends 5-1!
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 21.06.26. | 11:50
Only, first time it was in their favour, before they got a taste of their own medicine
Unprecedented. Nothing like this has happened in the almost century-long history of the FIFA World Cup - Sweden dismantled Tunisia 5-1 in the opening game of the ongoing global tournament before being battered by the Netherlands 5-1 last night.
This way, Graham Potter's team became the first, and to this day the only, national side to experience something like this: celebrating a win with three or more goals and then suffering the same humiliation, or vice versa.
The Scandinavians have made history for all the wrong reasons this time due to another historical stat. Their loss to the Dutch side is the heaviest loss they've suffered ever since the mythical 1958 World Cup final against Brazil, when young Pele ran riot to push the Selecao to a 5-2 triumph.
The only case that comes close to this of Potter's Sweden must be Bulgaria from 32 years ago. Hristo Stoichkov and his teammates were swept aside by Nigeria in the opener, 3-0, but they quickly bounced back with a commanding 4-0 win over Greece in the second round of the group stage. Interestingly, Bulgaria would end up fourth in that 1994 FIFA WC after losing a third-place game to none other than Sweden 4-0.
Anyway, as we get back to 2026, Alexander Isak, Victor Gyokeres and others can still reach the Round of 32 despite this bizarre outcome, as they still control their own destiny ahead of the third and final round of the group stage. A victory against Japan will guarantee Sweden at least second place in the group, ensuring automatic qualification to the Round of 32.
A draw against Japan would leave Sweden on 4 points, which is a highly competitive tally for advancing as one of the best third-place teams. Finally, even if they lose to the Samurai Blue, finishing with 3 points and a strong goal differential could still mean they advance as the best third-place team, provided other results across the 12 groups go their way.
WORLD CUP - GROUP STAGE (ROUND 3)
Group F
Friday, 26.06.
02.00: (2.20) Japan (3.50) Sweden (3.45)
02.00: (16.0) Tunisia (8.50) Netherlands (1.18)
***odds are subject to change***