Sweden's defence in ruins after Dutch thrashing, Japan could rotate

Japan may rest key players against Sweden

Japan midfielder Sano Kaishu confirmed it. "It's good to recover, it's only three days until the next match," he said ahead of facing Sweden (2). Graham Potter knows what that means, a rotated Japan side could open the door after the Dutch disaster. Your team need every edge they can get right now.

Netherlands 5–1 Sweden: the worst defensive showing in memory

Five goals conceded. Historic. Sweden's backline collapsed in ways the national team has rarely seen, with analysis calling it historically poor (4). Victor Nilsson Lindelöf had already flagged defensive issues after the Tunisia opener. After this, those concerns are no longer whispers.

Potter faces the press before the Japan match

Graham Potter spoke to media ahead of a match that now defines the group stage (3). After the 5–1 defeat to Netherlands, Sweden must respond. Potter's first World Cup was never going to be smooth, but the scale of this setback tests everything he has built.

Record TV numbers for the Dutch humiliation

TV4 reported enormous World Cup interest for Netherlands 5–1 Sweden, one of the most-watched broadcasts of its kind (5). The whole country watched the collapse. Now the question is whether they watch a response against Japan.