Sweden 3-2 Poland result - Graham Potter's side qualify for 2026 World Cup thanks to late winner from Viktor Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres' late strike has sent Sweden to their first FIFA World Cup since 2018, as they edged out Poland 3-2.

In what was a dramatic night in Solna, it was Graham Potter's side who struck first. Yasin Ayari cleverly flicked the ball into the path of Anthony Elanga, who fired a superb effort past Kamil Grabara to give his nation the lead.

Poland responded well to going 0-1 down though, pouring players forward in attack and just 15 minutes later they found an equaliser. Piotr Zielinski released Nicola Zalewski down the left-hand side, who drove forward with the ball before cutting in on his right foot and firing his effort past Kristoffer Nordfeldt, who, despite getting a hand to the ball, couldn't keep it out.

The match wasn't level for long though, with Sweden regaining the lead just minutes before half time. Celtic's Benjamin Nygren fired in a vicious free-kick from the right-hand side and Gustaf Lagerbielke was on hand to nod home past Grabara.

Poland started the second half much the better side, dominating possession and playing almost exclusively in Sweden's half of the pitch as the hosts looked to sit deep and protect their lead. Poland's persistence in the final third paid off when Karol Swiderski popped up from close range to rifle home after Zalewski's mishit shot fell right at his feet.

The visitors continued to dominate possession, but the match had the feeling that it could swing in any direction at any given moment. With 88 minutes on the clock and after an almighty scramble in the penalty area that saw Grabara make a save and Sweden hit the woodwork, Viktor Gyokeres was on hand to slam home from close range to send Sweden to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Sweden have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Poland 3-2 in the UEFA play-off final. Anthony Elanga, Gustaf Laberbielke and Viktor Gyokeres netted for the hosts, with Nicola Zalewski and Karol Swiderski getting on the scoresheet for Poland.

There will be a minimum of four minutes added on at the end of this one!

Could that be the goal that sends Sweden to the World Cup?! After an almighty scramble in the penalty area that saw the goalkeeper make a save and Sweden strike the woodwork, Gyokeres pops up to fire home with just minutes left to play.

Benjamin Nygren is off for Gustav Lundgren.

Benjamin Nygren is off for Gustav Lundgren.

Bergvall, who has just been booked, brings down Zielinski and Poland have a free kick on the right-hand side.

Bergvall, who has just been booked, brings down Zielinski and Poland have a free kick on the right-hand side.

Bergvall, who has just been booked, brings down Zielinski and Poland have a free kick on the right-hand side.

Poland have had a whopping 77% possession in the second half, Sweden are really struggling to get on the ball in this half.

Lucas Bergvall is booked.

The cross comes into the box from the right-hand side, Gyokeres cleverly heads it back across goal for a Sweden player to take advantage but the chance ends up going begging as Poland clear it away.

Lucas Bergvall and Besfort Zeneli are on for Anthony Elanga and Jesper Karlstrom.

Oskar Pietuszewski is booked.

It's impossible to tell what way this tie is going to go next. Twice Sweden have taken the lead, twice they've been pegged back by a Poland side that have had more attempts, more possession and more touches in the opposition box.

Poland have equalised for a second time this evening! Cash fires in a good cross from the left-hand side, it's nodded on, Nicola Zalewski completely mishits his shot but finds Karol Swiderski who was waiting to fire home.

Robert Lewandowski tries his luck from outside the box but blazes his effort high and wide of the target.

The cross is sent in from the left-hand side and Lagerbielke gets up well to win his header but can only power it past the post.

Despite being just three minutes into the half, the pattern for this half looks set already. Poland are piling forward, getting bodies in the final third as they seek out an equaliser, whilst Sweden are sitting deep and looking to get forward when they can on the break through Gyokeres and Elanga.

Kaminski goes down in the penalty area and the Poland team appeal instantly for a penalty. The referee, however, is totally unmoved.