Gyokeres hat trick propels Sweden beyond Ukraine to play off final

Although lacking a competitive victory since November 2024, Sweden started with assurance and surprised their rivals by going ahead after just six minutes.

Benjamin Nygren sent a clever pass along the goal line, leaving Viktor Gyokeres ideally placed inside the six yard box, and the Arsenal forward slotted home confidently for his 16th national team goal, his first in over a year, granting Blagult an ideal beginning.

Potter's team nearly extended their lead around the first half's midpoint, with Gabriel Gudmundsson's shot clipping the upright after an impressive charge down the centre.

Ukraine controlled 73 percent of possession during the opening period, yet they could not penetrate the solid Swedish backline, managing zero efforts on target prior to the break.

With much on the line, the second half kicked off intensely, as Anatoliy Trubin produced a superb instinctive stop to thwart substitute Carl Starfelt from making it two nil for Sweden mere minutes after the interval, followed by Gudmundsson's quick shot sailing just past the post.

At the opposite end, Serhiy Rebrov's squad at last notched their initial shot when Kristoffer Nordfeldt blocked Oleksandr Zubkov's attempt to level the score. As the game opened up further, a touch of brilliance elevated the Blagult to a dominant stance.

Kristoffer Nordfeldt launched a lengthy clearance that Gyokeres collected well inside Ukraine's territory, and the striker's exquisite strike into the far corner left Sweden on the verge of the play off final.

The outcome was effectively decided on 73 minutes, when the dynamic Gyokeres evaded the final marker before Trubin felled him within the penalty area.

The Premier League ace stepped up for the penalty and, even though the keeper dived correctly, converted his treble to seal a comfortable win for the Swedes.

As the match wound down, Ukraine salvaged a late consolation in the 90th minute, with Matviy Ponomarenko nodding in on his full international debut to narrow the gap to two goals at the whistle.

Sweden's crucial triumph halts a poor streak of six winless outings. Blagult now meet Albania on Tuesday evening the 31st for a World Cup spot, whereas Ukraine face Poland in a friendly that night, extending their absence from major finals since 2006.