STOCKHOLM, March 31 : Viktor Gyokeres side-footed home an 88th-minute winner as Sweden beat Poland 3-2 in a frantic World Cup qualification playoff final on Tuesday, booking their ticket to the tournament.
Anthony Elanga's opener for Sweden was cancelled out by Nicola Zalewski’s equaliser, but Gustaf Lagerbielke’s 44th-minute strike restored the hosts' advantage.
Despite Karol Swiderski drawing the visitors level again shortly after the interval, Gyokeres capitalised on a late goalmouth scramble to fire home the winner.
The result earned Sweden a spot in Group F for this year's World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. It reversed the outcome of the 2022 World Cup playoff final, where Poland denied Sweden a place in Qatar.
The atmosphere at Strawberry Arena reflected the high stakes, with the Swedish team storming the pitch as Gyokeres's goal went in.
Sweden's route to qualification was unconventional - they finished last in their qualifying group with no wins. However, they won their Nations League group, providing a 'safety net' playoff route which they seized.