Gyokeres the hero as Sweden qualifies
Viktor Gyokeres scored an 88th-minute winner to send Sweden to the World Cup, as it beat Poland 3-2 in a back-and-forth qualification play-off in Stockholm.
The Arsenal striker – who scored a hat-trick against Ukraine in Sweden's semi-final victory last week – was in the right place to finish off a goalmouth scramble with extra time looming, after Poland had come back from behind on two occasions in a thrilling encounter.
Daniel Svensson failed to make the most of an early headed chance, but Sweden still struck first in the 19th minute as Yasin Ayari's glorious backheel found Anthony Elanga, who sent a rasping, left-footed effort off the underside of the crossbar and in.
Kristoffer Nordfeldt denied Karol Swiderski with a wonderful save, but the Sweden goalkeeper was unable to keep out Nicola Zalewski's curler after 33 minutes, despite getting a hand to the ball low down to his left.
Sweden restored its advantage on the stroke of half-time as Gustaf Lagerbielke beat Poland keeper Kamil Grabara to Benjamin Nygren's in-swinging free-kick and nodded home, but the visitor fought back once more.
Ten minutes into the second half, Jakub Kaminski flicked Matty Cash's centre towards the far post, and Zalewski knocked it into the path of Swiderski for a simple finish.
Poland pushed hard for a winner and only Victor Lindelof's last-ditch clearance prevented a Sebastian Szymanski corner from curling all the way in and giving the visitor the lead for the first time, and Sweden made that reprieve count.
Lucas Bergvall's effort was saved by Grabara and Besfort Zeneli's follow-up bounced off the inside of the post, but it was third time lucky for the hosts as Gyokeres pounced to book their spot in Group F at the World Cup, alongside Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.













