Sweden fans made the same point about strikers Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak during the World Cup, with many wanting just the Reds forward to lead the attack
09:59, 26 Jun 2026
Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres
Sweden fans have made the same point about Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres
Sweden fans have made the same point about Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak, with many urging Graham Potter to deploy the Liverpool forward as Sweden's lone striker.
Injuries have often prevented the pair from building a consistent partnership, with the defeat to the Netherlands marking just their 16th start together. They showed their potential in Sweden's 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia earlier in the tournament, with both strikers setting each other up in an eye-catching display.
However, against the Netherlands on Saturday, it was Isak who took the game by the scruff of the neck, creating Anthony Elanga's goal with a moment of individual quality, while Gyokeres struggled to make the same impact as Sweden slipped to a heavy defeat.
In Sweden's final group-stage match against Japan, both forwards struggled to make a significant impact as the teams played out a 1-1 draw. The result was enough to send Sweden through to the knockout rounds, although Gyokeres still made a telling contribution by setting up Elanga's equalizer.
The tempo of the game dipped after the second-half hydration break, although Elanga and Isak both went close in stoppage time, forcing two strong saves from Zion Suzuki.
There is growing debate among Sweden supporters over the team’s attacking setup, with some fans suggesting that Isak should be deployed as the central focal point. "Sweden has to get Isak up front by himself. Having to share with Gyokeres who is just out there getting cardio in is terrible" said one fan. " Isak did his best to carry that team but Gyokeres was too heavy" added another.
A third supporter said: "I think Sweden would be so much better if Isak was the focal point and Gyokeres went to the bench! Gyokeres really just gets in the way of all the good things Sweden does!"
GUADALUPE, MEXICO - JUNE 14: Alexander Isak #9 of Sweden leaves the pitch after the team's 5-1 victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Sweden and Tunisia at Monterrey Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Monterrey, Mexico. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak has made a superb start to this summer's World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
Isak has recently been discussing his developing partnership with Gyokeres, while emphasizing that the national team’s performance cannot be reduced to just two individuals. "It's felt good. It's worked well in the matches.
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"It's clear that you're a bit more of a playmaker, playing others forward instead of being the one making the deep runs yourself. But I'm enjoying it there. We are two talented players who want the best for the team. We get along really well, just like the whole team."
Questions remain over the balance of the attack, with Potter still tasked with finding a way to get the best out of Gyokeres, Isak and Elanga in tandem.
Isak and Sweden will face one of France, Norway, Germany or Switzerland in the round of 32.