Celtic’s leading goalscorer Benjamin Nygren impressed in Sweden’s win over Ukraine in Valencia in the World Cup qualifying semi-final over Ukraine…
The Celtic man played in the number 10 spot Sweden, behind striker Viktor Gyokeres and he set up Sweden’s first goal in their 3-1 World Cup play-off semi-final win.
Gyokeres, who previously played alongside Nygren in the Sweden U21s, was full of praise for his international teammate, who has been impressing at Celtic this season.
“I know him well and he’s done extremely well at Celtic,” Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres said: “I’ve played with Benji a lot before in the under-21 national team. I know him well and he’s done extremely well at Celtic. He’s a great player. He’s good with the ball and finds good passes. He can also do well inside the box himself.”
Benjamin Nygren in action for Sweden in their 3-1 win over Ukraine
Benjamin Nygren seen during World Cup 2026 European play off semifinal game between national teams of Ukraine and Sweden Lukasz Germaniuk/Ball Raw Images Valencia Estadio Ciudad de Valencia Spain Photo IMAGO Lukasz Germaniuk
“He’s an intelligent player and a very good guy,” Graham Potter on Nygren
Adding to this praise from his international teammate, Benjamin Nygren also earned some positive feedback from Sweden’s Head Coach Graham Potter. He said: “I’ve been impressed with Benji since I met him. He’s an intelligent player and a very good guy,” Potter said. “He’s a team player. He understands what we’re trying to do. He’s a super important player for us.”
Following their semi-final win over Ukraine last night, Sweden will now play Poland, who came from behind to defeat Albania, on Tuesday evening with the winners earning a place in the World Cup Finals next summer.
Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic celebrates
Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic celebrates his team’s second goal scored by teammate Reo Hatate (not pictured) during the Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox on March 01, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Nygren one step away from World Cup Finals showdown with Celtic teammate
If Sweden make it though then that could set up a World Cup meeting between the Celtic pair of Benjamin Nygren and Sebastian Tounekti as the winners of the Sweden versus Poland play-off final go into Tunisia’s group at the World Cup Finals.
Meanwhile it was heartache for the Republic of Ireland, Wales and the Six Counties as all three exited the World Cup at the play-off semi-final stages. Italy took care of Northern Ireland with a 2-0 victory both Republic of Ireland and Wales were pulled back after leading in the 90 minutes only to go on and lose penalty shoot-outs that they had the upper hand in in the early stages.
Liam Scales at Ibrox
Liam Scales at Ibrox. theRangers 2 Celtic 2. Sunday 1st March 2026. Photograph by Vagelis Georgariou
Penalty-shoot heartache for Republic of Ireland and Wales
It’s a huge blow for the likes of Liam Scales, who missed last night’s match away to Czechia through suspension and also former Celt Adam Idah, who scored his spot kick in the shoot-out. Johnny Kenny too had one eye on making the World Cup squad if Ireland made it through but it was not to be. Squandering a 2-0 lead though will hurt the Irish badly.
World Cup exit frees up Craig Bellamy for possible Celtic appointment
Meanwhile Wales lost in Cardiff to Bosnia but were the better team throughout. With no World Cup preparations to make Craig Bellamy might just fancy a move into club management with Charlie Mulgrew yesterday talking about a conversation he’s had with former Celt Joe Ledley, who was co-commentating last night, about Bellamy as a decent contender of the Celtic job that will be vacant in the summer.
Bellamy had a loan spell at Celtic twenty years ago so knows all about the demands that come with this particular job. Had Wales qualified for the World Cup it would have effectively ruled Bellany out of the running. Other leading contenders are Robbie Keane, who scored a double for Celtic against Kilmarnock 16 years ago today and the highly rated Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou.
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