Sweden crushes Ukraine 3-1 as Gyokeres hat-trick fuels World Cup dream
Sweden secured a decisive 3-1 victory over Ukraine in their World Cup qualifier, with Viktor Gyokeres netting a hat-trick. The win propelled them into the final play-off against Poland, keeping their hopes alive for a place in the expanded 2026 tournament.
The match held extra significance for Ukraine, who had aimed to lift national spirits amid ongoing conflict by reaching the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Gyokeres opened the scoring early, finding the net in the 6th minute. He doubled Sweden's lead shortly after the restart before sealing his treble with a 73rd-minute penalty. His performance proved pivotal in a match where Sweden dominated from the start.
Ukraine managed a late reply through Matvii Ponomarenko, but it was too little too late. The team has played all home fixtures on neutral ground since Russia's invasion in 2018, adding to the challenges of their campaign. Their defeat followed a previous play-off loss to Wales in 2022, leaving them without a World Cup appearance for over two decades.
The 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time, an increase from the previous 32-team format. Hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the expansion—approved by FIFA in 2017—grants more spots to confederations worldwide, including additional places for UEFA, CAF, and CONCACAF. Sweden now faces Poland in Stockholm on Tuesday, with the winner booking their ticket to the finals. Sweden's victory marks their first win in this qualifying campaign and edges them closer to only their second World Cup in 20 years. For Ukraine, the loss extends their wait for a return to football's biggest stage, while Sweden turns their focus to the play-off decider against Poland. The expanded 2026 tournament will see 16 more teams compete, offering greater opportunities for nations like Ukraine and Sweden to secure future qualification.
