Gyokeres Hat-Trick Sparks Sweden's World Cup Playoff Showdown With Poland

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Viktor Gyokeres hit a clinical hat-trick in Valencia as Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1, reaching a World Cup play-off final against Poland. The Arsenal striker converted all three attempts, giving Graham Potter a first victory in charge at a decisive moment.

Gyokeres struck first after six minutes, finishing from close range after a low cross from Benjamin Nygren. Sweden’s forward added a second in the 51st minute with a stabbed effort into the far corner. A late penalty sealed the treble before Matvii Ponomarenko replied on 90 minutes.

Sweden now prepare to host Poland with a World Cup place at stake, after Poland overturned Albania 2-1. Arber Hoxha gave Albania the lead with a powerful strike before half-time, but Robert Lewandowski’s back-post header and Piotr Zielinski’s long-range drive turned the tie.

The other World Cup play-off final will feature Turkiye against Kosovo. Ferdi Kadioglu scored the only goal as Vincenzo Montella’s team defeated Romania 1-0. Kosovo edged Slovakia 4-3 away, coming from behind twice before Kreshnik Hajrizi hit the decisive goal in the 72nd minute.

Denmark also reached a World Cup play-off final, hitting four unanswered goals against North Macedonia. Czechia will face Denmark after beating the Republic of Ireland on penalties. Those results complete a play-off schedule that leaves several European heavyweights one victory from qualification.

Data underlined Gyokeres’ sharp finishing. The forward scored three times from an expected goals figure of 1.83, showing efficient shot selection. These were Gyokeres’ first Sweden goals since November 2024, when four goals against Azerbaijan completed another international hat-trick in a 6-0 victory.

Key numbers from Gyokeres’ performance are shown below.

The Swedish federation highlighted the victory on social media.

Sweden’s play-off win, combined with Poland’s comeback and other results, sets up a tense final round. Several teams, including Sweden, Poland, Turkiye, Kosovo, Denmark and Czechia, now stand one match from securing World Cup qualification after a decisive night across Europe.