Sweden 3-2 Poland: Gyökeres Sends Swedes to 2026 World Cup
Final Score
Sweden 3 - 2 Poland
Result: Sweden won by 1 goal
Status: Finished
Match Summary
Viktor Gyökeres scored a dramatic 88th-minute winner to send Sweden to the 2026 World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Poland in the UEFA World Cup Qualifying playoff final. The Arsenal striker's goal secured Sweden's passage to the tournament just five days after netting a hat trick against Ukraine in the playoff semifinal.
Poland mounted a strong challenge, with Robert Lewandowski unable to guide the 37-year-old to what would likely have been his final World Cup appearance.
Key Events
- 19' – Anthony Elanga opens the scoring for Sweden
- 33' – Nicola Zalewski equalizes for Poland
- 44' – Gustaf Lagerbielke restores Sweden's lead
- 55' – Karol Swiderski equalizes for Poland
- 88' – Viktor Gyökeres scores the decisive goal for Sweden
Highlights
Watch Highlights: Available on ESPN and official UEFA channels
Match Context
Tournament: 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying – UEFA Stage: Playoff Finals Venue: Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden Date: March 31, 2026 Attendance: 49,627 Sweden will join the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F of the 2026 World Cup. Graham Potter, hired by Sweden last year with the specific goal of reaching the World Cup, has achieved his objective.
Stage: Playoff Finals Venue: Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden Date: March 31, 2026 Attendance: 49,627 Sweden will join the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F of the 2026 World Cup. Graham Potter, hired by Sweden last year with the specific goal of reaching the World Cup, has achieved his objective.