Gyokeres did not manage a goalplaceholder image
Gyokeres did not manage a goal | Getty Images
Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres was in action on Friday night when Sweden drew with Slovenia.
Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres was in international action on Friday night, with Sweden opening their World Cup qualifying campaign against Slovenia away from home. Interestingly, the clash pitter Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko against each other for the second time this season, with Arsenal, of course, having courted both strikers before ultimately settling on Gyokeres.
Neither scored in the game, though, with Anthony Elanga and Yasin Ayari on the scoresheet for Sweden, while Sandi Lovric and Zan Vipotnik scoring for Slovenia. Gyokeres assisted the second Sweden goal, which put them 2-1 up in the 73rd minute, and Sesko assisted the Sovenia equaliser, but that goal was a disaster for goalkeeper Robin Olsen.
Olsen made a big error to give away the equaliser two minutes into stoppage time, and the result will be seen as two points lost, with Switzerland taking top spot after one game in the group, defeating Kosovo.
Fotbollskanalen provided analysis of each of the Sweden player performances after the game, and they said of Gyokeres’ display: “Very strong when the cross came and held it away and passed the ball to Ayari who netted. Strong, unyielding and loyal, and did a great job. Often had two opponents on him.”
Sweden boss Jon Dahl Tomasson said after the game: “Extreme disappointment to concede a goal at the end of the match. We make a top performance on a tough spot. But extreme disappointment.”
Sweden captain Isak Hien said of the result-defining mistake from Olsen: “It's a ball that gets to bounce. Then it becomes unnecessarily difficult. It's a ball we should handle. At that stage of the match, you don't want to concede a goal, especially not a goal in that way, he says and continues: It's like everyone gets stuck a bit in hesitation. It becomes a bit too tame and too easy when the ball bounces down. It feels cheap. Great disappointment after we make such a good match.”
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