Potter hails 'world class' Gyokeres as Sweden keep World Cup dreams alive

[p]But when one considers that Sweden hadn't won any of their six qualifiers before last night, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gyokeres-viktor/zaBZ1xIk/"]Gyokeres[/a] hadn't scored an international goal since 2024, the Arsenal forward hadn't previously played under Graham Potter and the Swedes came into this without a win under their new boss, a hat-trick in a 3-1 win suddenly looks very impressive.[/p][p][b]Gyokeres broke the deadlock six minutes in with a close-range finish, then doubled the Swedish lead in the sixth minute of the second half, latching onto a long clearance downfield before finishing coolly, then added a third from the penalty spot having been fouled.[/b][/p][p]Ukraine added a late consolation, but it's Sweden who march onto a home playoff final with Poland on Tuesday, and it is no wonder Potter was quick to praise the forward when speaking to Swedish television after the match.[/p][p][b]"It's a fantastic evening. An important victory. We suffered at times. Viktor was world class and when you have players like that you always have a chance,"[/b] said the Englishman.[/p][embed guid="29dcedf4-301d-4c1b-b11b-fbfaa236eb19" url="https://x.com/svenskfotboll/status/2037479752634683553" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"We knew that on counter attacks we could create problems for them and Viktor is a top player on counter attacks in large spaces. If Viktor continues to score hat-tricks, he will make it easy for me,"[/b] he added.[/p][p]But the former Chelsea and West Ham boss acknowledged there was more than one match-winner for Sweden in Valencia last night: [b]"I thought we were tactically good and defended well as a team."[/b][/p][p]Attentions now turn to the make-or-break playoff final on [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/poland-2HzmcynI/sweden-OQyqbHWB/?mid=pEpXAtm1"]Tuesday 31st March (20:45 CET)[/a] against a Poland side that came from behind to beat Albania on home soil. The winner will take their place in Group F at the World Cup, alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.[/p][p][b]"It's going to be a fantastic night. It's going to be one of the most memorable football nights of my life,"[/b] Potter admitted.[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/sweden-OQyqbHWB/ukraine-j1JtDMwo/?mid=YT2GZZ9N"]Review Sweden's 3-1 victory over Ukraine on Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]