Daizen Maeda makes Celtic history as Trusty injury mars night
Daizen Maeda became the first Celtic player ever to score at two consecutive World Cups, netting Japan's opener in a 1-1 draw with Sweden that secured a last-32 tie with Brazil. Parkhead teammate Auston Trusty scored his first USA goal the same night but was carried off with an ankle injury in a 3-2 loss to Turkey.
Key Takeaways
- Maeda finished Ritsu Doan's through ball in the 56th minute at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, becoming the only player to score at back-to-back World Cups while registered with Celtic.
- Japan finished second in Group F with five points and face five-time champions Brazil in Houston on Monday, 29 June.
- Trusty opened the scoring for the USA after two minutes in Los Angeles but went over on his ankle late on; the co-hosts still advanced to face Bosnia-Herzegovina.
- Maeda believes Japan can beat Brazil if they perform at their usual level, while Sweden's Anthony Elanga equalised to send Benjamin Nygren's side through as a best third-placed team.
How did Daizen Maeda make Celtic World Cup history?
Maeda opened the scoring in Japan's 1-1 draw with Sweden at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas, latching onto Ritsu Doan's exquisite through ball in the 56th minute and firing beyond Jacob Widell Zetterstrom. It was his second World Cup goal while a Celtic player, following a strike against Croatia in Qatar 2022.
That made him the first, and so far only, Celtic player to find the net at consecutive World Cups. He remains one goal behind Parkhead legend Henrik Larsson, who scored three times for Sweden at the 2002 tournament while registered with the Glasgow club.
What happened to Auston Trusty on the same night?
While Maeda was making history in Texas, Celtic defender Auston Trusty was starring, then stumbling, for the United States in Inglewood, Los Angeles. The centre-back, deployed at left-back, fired home his first international goal just two minutes into the 3-2 defeat to Turkey.
Arda Guler and Baris Alper Yilmaz had put Turkey ahead by half-time before the Turks snatched a stoppage-time winner. Trusty was carried off late in the game after going over on his ankle, though with the USA having used all their substitutes, he was able to return to the pitch.
Speaking afterwards, Trusty admitted he was left in his own head about the injury. He said he heard something in his ankle but insisted he would be fine, adding that winning the group remained the positive takeaway from a night of mixed emotions.
Where do Japan and the USA go from here?
Japan collected five points from three Group F fixtures to finish runners-up behind the Netherlands, setting up a last-32 meeting with Brazil in Houston on Monday, 29 June. The five-time champions advanced after beating Scotland in the group stage.
Maeda, speaking ahead of the knockout tie, told reporters the match would be tough but added that as long as Japan perform at their usual levels, they have a chance to win. He said the team would use the rest period to recover and prepare in all aspects.
The USA, despite the Turkey loss, progressed as Group D winners and will meet Bosnia-Herzegovina next. Sweden, featuring Celtic substitute Benjamin Nygren, also advanced as a third-placed team on four points after Elanga's equaliser.
Why does this matter for Celtic fans?
Three Celtic players confirmed last-32 berths on a remarkable World Cup night for the Scottish champions. Maeda's milestone cements his place among the club's most impactful international exports, while Trusty's goal-and-injury saga underscored the emotional rollercoaster of the tournament.
For more on the crossover between football fame and breaking sports drama, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage. Full match details are available via the BBC Sport report on Celtic's World Cup scorers.