Viktor Gyokeres scored three times for Sweden and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will love what the head coaches involved in the game have said about his striker
10:59, 27 Mar 2026
Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Ukraine and Sweden
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Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden celebrates after scoring the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Ukraine and Sweden(Image: David Aliaga/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Viktor Gyokeres turned up when it mattered most for Sweden to score not once, not twice, but three times in their World Cup qualifying semi-final win over Ukraine. All three goals scored by Graham Potter’s side came courtesy of the Arsenal centre-forward, who has come under fire this season for some mixed performances.
Mikel Arteta had given the reason of a lack of pre-season for the former Sporting CP striker’s slow start to life in north London, and had Sweden lost this match, the 27-year-old would have been able to enjoy a summer off. However, no such break was on the player’s wish list, who appears intent on dragging his nation to North America.
The player took the megaphone after the game and was pictured starting the chants from the fans in Valencia, where the clash had been organised due to the conflict in Ukraine preventing home matches from being played there. Sweden will have the home advantage when they play Poland next week for a place in the World Cup.
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Head coach Potter spoke to the media after the game and lauded his striker, who is playing without Liverpool forward Alexander Isak, for his contribution.
"It's a huge step forward for the team," said Potter. "We fought together, it was great. Gyokeres was incredible."
However, there was yet more praise to come as Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov ranked the Gunners’ summer marquee addition among the continent’s very top players.
"I believed in my team throughout the match,” said Rebrov. “We did everything we could and had chances to score, but their early goal hurt us, just as it did in the second half.
"We finished the match well, but it wasn't enough. Gyokeres made the difference tonight.
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“He showed his quality and proved he's one of the best strikers in Europe."
High praise indeed and now the aim will be to outshine one of the unquestionable best in his position, Robert Lewandowski, when Sweden meet Poland in Stockholm’s Friends Arena on Tuesday night.
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