Sweden is through to the playoff final for the World Cup after a convincing victory over Ukraine. The big match-winner was Viktor Gyökeres, who scored all the goals in the 3–1 win. Next up is Poland in a decisive home match in Stockholm to reach the Football World Cup this summer.

The match between Sweden and Ukraine was played on neutral ground in the Spanish city of Valencia. From the start, Sweden showed clear intentions in the playoff semifinal, and just six minutes in, they got their reward. Celtic player Benjamin Nygren delivered a precise cross that Viktor Gyökeres, who normally plays for London club Arsenal, met in front of goal and slotted in for 1–0.

Despite the early lead, Sweden had to contend with setbacks during the first half, including an injury and Ukrainian possession, but Sweden held on and went into halftime in the lead.

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After the halftime break, Sweden stepped up and, in the 51st minute, Viktor Gyökeres extended the lead to 2–0 after a quick counter-attack. Goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt launched a long clearance that Gyökeres received, advanced, and finished clinically.

With just under 20 minutes left, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres, who is being highlighted as one of Europe’s best forwards, completed his hat-trick. After rounding the goalkeeper, he was fouled in the penalty area – and took care of the penalty himself to make it 3–0. The Swedish men’s national team was then firmly in control of the match.

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Ukraine pulled one back in the final minutes through Matvij Ponomarenko, but that was as close as they got.

– It means a lot. Of course, it was an extremely important match for us and pulling off this game is very significant, said the match hero Gyökeres to Fotbollskanalen.

Anyone wishing to see highlights from the match can watch the video here.

Final awaits in Stockholm

The victory means that Sweden now faces Poland in the playoff final at the national arena in Solna. Poland advanced after a win against Albania. In other words, the decisive match is the ticket to this summer’s World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Ukrainian men in the stands

At the same time, it is worth noting that a significant number of Ukrainian men were seen in the stands in Valencia, where the match against Sweden was played.

Ukrainian fans during the match against Sweden played in Spain. Facsimile YouTube

This raises questions in light of the fact that Ukraine, since the introduction of martial law during the war, has imposed restrictions which mainly mean that men of fighting age are not allowed to leave the country, as they are expected to be available for military service. It is likely that the men left Ukraine before the war and have since chosen not to return home to conflict.

READ MORE: Ukraine’s defense minister: 2 million Ukrainians avoid mobilization – 200,000 soldiers absent without leave

At the end of January this year, Ukraine’s new defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced that about two million Ukrainians are avoiding service in the war against Russia and that as many as 200,000 of the country’s soldiers are absent without leave, meaning they have left their positions without permission.

Kristersson: “We stand strongly united”

On social media, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs have published posts highlighting that Sweden and Ukraine may be opponents on the football pitch, but stand strongly united off it.