Viktor Gyökeres hits hat-trick as Sweden and Graham Potter see off Ukraine

<p></p><p>Graham Potter may be in it for the long haul but the immediate outlook looks pretty bright too. This was his third game in charge of Sweden and the biggest compliment to pay is that they looked like themselves. A strong, diligent defensive performance nullified a lightweight Ukraine and it helped that, at the other end, they could call upon a centre-forward head and shoulders above anyone else on view.</p><p>That was Viktor Gyökeres, a talisman for his country even if Arsenal fans are yet to be fully enamoured. An object lesson in No 9 play brought a deserved hat-trick and ensured Sweden will reach the World Cup if they beat Poland at home on Tuesday. It is some turnaround from the directionless, disconsolate side Potter inherited; virtually ignored by a meagre travelling support when they were routed by Switzerland on his debut in November, this time they were serenaded by a jubilant yellow mass of 3,000 in the north-east corner.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/26/ukraine-sweden-world-cup-qualifying-playoff-semi-final-match-report">Continue reading...</a>