Viktor Gyokeres scored three times in Valencia (6', 52', 73' penalty) as Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1 in the UEFA Path B semi-final on 27 March. 1 The match was played in Spain because the war in Ukraine made a home fixture impossible. Graham Potter's side, whose qualifying campaign was otherwise dismal, are now one match from their first World Cup in 20 years.
Gyokeres alone scored more goals across this playoff window than Sweden managed in their entire qualifying group stage. The Arsenal striker's first was a sixth-minute header; his second a poacher's finish after a defensive error; his third a calmly taken penalty. While eight venues continue converting to hybrid grass , Sweden's focus is simpler: beat Poland on Monday. If Gyokeres arrives in the United States in this form, the tournament's star narrative writes itself.
