World Cup – European classification
7:45 p.mMarch 26, 2026
semi-finals
City of Valencia
Referee: Joao Pedro Pinheiro, Portugal
Ukraine
sweden
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
0.00
Expected Goals (xG)
0.00
Passing by
462 (85%)
Accurate passes
200 (76%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
G
Anatoly Trubin
71′ Stumbled
16
d
Vitaly Mykolenko
6.3
5
d
Valery Bondar
6.7
13
d
Ilya Zabarnyi (C)
6.7
d
Oleksandr Tymchyk
57′ Holding
21
M
Ivan Kalyuzhnyi
6.7
20
M
Oleksandr Zubkov
6.3
17
M
Georgiy Sudakov
6.3
18
M
Yehor Yarmolyuk
7.0
15
M
Victor Tsygankov
7.5
19
F
Vladislav Vanat
6.5
G
Christopher Nordfeldt
75′ Game delay
51′
3
d
Victor Lindelöf (C)
6.7
4
d
Isak Hien
7.2
2
d
Gustaf Lagerbielke
6.3
5
M
Gabriel Gudmundsson
6.9
16
M
Jesper Karlström
6.3
18
M
Age setting
6.3
6
M
Herman Johansson
6.3
F
Benjamin Nygren
6′
11
F
Anthony Elanga
6.5
F
Viktor Gyökeres
6′
51′
72′
Substitutes
14
F
Roony Bardghji
9
F
Gustaf Nilsson
21
M
Taha Ali
20
M
Hugo Larsson
22
M
Besfort Zeneli
13
M
Eric Smith
1
G
Noel Törnqvist
12
G
Melker Ellborg
M
Matthias Svanberg
90+4′ Replaced by A. Elangad
Daniel Svensson
77′ Replaced by G. GudmundssonM
Lucas Bergvall
77′ Replaced by Y. Ayarid
Carl Starfelt
37′ Replaced by I. Hien
World Cup – Europe Classification – Group D
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – World Cup
- Promotion – World Cup (Promotion: )
Viktor Gyökeres’ hat-trick saw Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Valencia.
Going into this game, Ukraine sat in a respectable second place in their qualifying group, looking for more points to consolidate their position. Sweden, however, were struggling near the bottom, desperate for a win to revive their World Cup hopes after a string of poor results.
The game broke out very early for the visitors. In just six minutes, Viktor Gyökeres opened the scoring. Benjamin Nygren provided a pinpoint assist, allowing Gyökeres to beat Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to give Sweden an immediate lead.
Ukraine responded by controlling possession but struggled to convert their dominance into clear-cut chances. Sweden’s defense remained resolute, soaking up the pressure and denying the opposition a path to goal. The home team had more of the ball but lacked a decisive touch in the final third.
As the first half progressed, Ukraine continued to push forward, winning numerous corner kicks. Despite their efforts, Sweden held firm, building on their slim lead at the break. Sweden made a defensive change in the 37th minute, with Carl Starfelt entering the fray for Isak Hien.
Ukraine needed to find a breakthrough after the break, aiming to turn their possession into goals. Sweden, meanwhile, tried to maintain their defensive shape and capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities, knowing that a goal in the second half would be vital.
Sweden did just that, doubling their lead six minutes after the restart. In the 51st minute, Gyökeres struck again. Goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt sent a long ball forward, which the striker expertly controlled and finished to extend Sweden’s lead.
Ukraine’s frustration began to show. Oleh Tymchyk was shown a yellow card in the 57th minute for holding on. Manager Serhiy Rebrov made three quick changes on the hour, bringing on Vladyslav Vanat, Oleksandr Zubkov and Ivan Kaliuzhnyi in an attempt to mount a comeback.
The game was effectively closed in the 72nd minute. Ukraine goalkeeper Trubin was booked for a foul in the box, which resulted in a penalty. Gyökeres stepped up and confidently converted the spot-kick, completing a superb hat-trick and giving Sweden a huge three-goal lead.
Despite the comfortable lead, Sweden’s Nordfeldt was shown a yellow card for wasting time in the 75th minute. Ukraine continued to fight, and their perseverance was rewarded in added time. Matvii Ponomarenko scored a consolation goal in the 90+1 minute, preventing a clean sheet for Sweden.
Sweden’s victory was based on clinical finishing rather than possession, with just 32% of the ball. Despite the expected low goal numbers for both sides, Sweden matched Ukraine’s four shots on goal from a total of ten attempts. Ukraine registered nine shots in total, with Swedish goalkeeper Nordfeldt making three crucial saves.
This vital 3-1 win provides a much-needed lifeline for Sweden in their World Cup qualifying campaign. For Ukraine, which plays its matches “at home” in neutral places such as Valencia City, this defeat represents a major setback in its quest for a place in the World Cup.
