Gyokeres Hat-Trick Powers Sweden Closer to World Cup Qualification

Viktor Gyokeres produced a superb hat-trick as Sweden secured a 3–1 victory over Ukraine in their European World Cup play-off semi-final, taking a significant step towards qualification for the 2026 tournament.

Sweden travelled to Valencia for the crucial encounter and made a bright start, with Gyokeres opening the scoring after just six minutes. The forward doubled his tally early in the second half before calmly converting a penalty to complete his hat-trick and seal an impressive win.

Under the guidance of manager Graham Potter, Sweden will now face Poland in the play-off final in Solna. Poland progressed after overcoming Albania in their semi-final, with the winner of the tie booking a place at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Elsewhere in the European play-offs, Denmark continued their strong push for qualification with a convincing victory over North Macedonia. Mikkel Damsgaard opened the scoring in Copenhagen before Rasmus Højlund added a third, while Christian Nørgaard rounded off the scoring with a powerful header from a Christian Eriksen cross.

Denmark are set to face the Czech Republic in the play-off final, after the Czechs staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down to defeat the Republic of Ireland on penalties. The final will be held in Prague.

Italy also advanced with a 2–0 win over Northern Ireland in Bergamo, maintaining a perfect record in the play-offs. Sandro Tonali broke the deadlock after 56 minutes, with Moise Kean adding a second to secure the victory. Italy will now take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica for a place at the World Cup.

Away from the qualification fixtures, Brazil suffered a narrow 2–1 defeat to France in an international friendly in Foxborough, United States. Gabriel Martinelli featured for the five-time world champions, playing 62 minutes and going close early on with a curling effort.

France secured the win thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike, while Gleison Bremer scored Brazil’s only goal of the match.

At youth level, England Under-19s were beaten 2–0 by Serbia, with Max Dowman delivering a lively performance despite the defeat, forcing two notable saves from goalkeeper Vuk Draškić.

Upcoming International Fixtures (All Times UK)

Friday, 27 March

• Andorra U21 vs England U21 – Euro U21 qualifier (6:30pm)
• England vs Uruguay – Friendly (7:45pm, Wembley)
• Switzerland vs Germany – Friendly (8:00pm, Basel)
• Spain vs Serbia – Friendly (8:00pm, Villarreal)
• Morocco vs Ecuador – Friendly (8:15pm, Madrid)

Saturday, 28 March

• England U19s vs Poland U19s – Euro U19 qualifier (11:00am, Guimarães)

Monday, 30 March

• Germany vs Ghana – Friendly (7:45pm, Stuttgart)

Tuesday, 31 March

• Portugal U19s vs England U19s – Euro U19 qualifier (4:00pm, Guimarães)
• England U21s vs Moldova U21s – Euro U21 qualifier (7:00pm, Norwich)
• Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy – World Cup qualifier (7:45pm, Zenica)
• Czech Republic vs Denmark – World Cup qualifier (7:45pm, Prague)
• Sweden vs Poland – World Cup qualifier (7:45pm, Solna)
• England vs Japan – Friendly (7:45pm, London)
• Netherlands vs Ecuador – Friendly (7:45pm, Eindhoven)
• Spain vs Egypt – Friendly (8:00pm, Cornellà)

Wednesday, 1 April

• Brazil vs Croatia – Friendly (1:00am, Orlando, USA)