Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick as Sweden beat Ukraine 3-1 to e book a World Cup play-off closing towards Poland.
Gyokeres, who began up entrance for Graham Potter’s facet with Alexander Isak injured, met a Benjamin Nygren cross simply six minutes into the competition.
The ahead, who has 16 targets in all competitions for the Premier League title-chasing Gunners, struck once more shortly after the break (51) when he caught Ukraine goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin unexpectedly, earlier than profitable and scoring a penalty within the 71st minute to settle the match.
Ukraine grabbed a comfort purpose by means of Matviy Ponomarenko within the ninetieth minute however the contest was lengthy gained and the ultimate whistle noticed the travelling Swedish followers have a good time wildly as they seized a closing likelihood of a World Cup berth.
Sweden will now play Poland on March 31 for a spot at this summer season’s event within the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Poland got here from behind to beat Albania 2-1, with Robert Lewandowski and Piotr Zielinski netting second-half targets to arrange subsequent week’s decider.
Arber Hoxha put Albania forward three minutes from the break however their bid to attain their first World Cup led to Warsaw as Poland maintained their good play-off report, having certified for the final World Cup and Euro 2024 by the identical route.
Lewandowski levelled with a header on the again put up from a nook within the 63rd minute and 10 minutes later Zielinski smashed a first-time shot from exterior the realm into the nook of the online, maintaining Poland on the right track for a 3rd consecutive finals look.
Guler conjures up Turkey as Kosovo hold dream alive
Turkey’s gamers have a good time at full-time (AP Picture). (AP Picture)
Turkey moved inside one sport of ending their lengthy World Cup absence as Ferdi Kadioglu’s second-half purpose secured a 1-0 win over Romania of their play-off semi-final on Thursday.
Actual Madrid midfielder Arda Guler produced an excellent defence-splitting cross to pick Kadioglu, who managed and completed calmly to provide the hosts the lead within the 53rd minute.
That proved the distinction in a cagey sport between two sides in search of a return to the World Cup for the primary time since 2002.
Turkey will play Kosovo, who’re bidding to achieve the event for the primary time of their historical past.
The Balkan nation, who’ve solely been taking part in worldwide soccer since 2014, twice got here from behind to beat Slovakia 4-3,with Kreshnik Hajrizi smashing residence from close-range what proved the winner.
Denmark energy by means of as Bosnia e book Italy date
Gustav Isaksen scored twice in two minutes as Denmark powered to a 4-0 win over North Macedonia of their World Cup play-off semi-final in Copenhagen to e book a decider towards the Czech Republic, who beat the Republic of Eire on penalties.
Mikkel Damsgaard and Christian Norgaard have been additionally on the right track as Denmark turned on the type within the second half and now bid to qualify for a 3rd straight World Cup.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s veteran striker Edin Dzeko scored a late equaliser earlier than his facet beat Wales 4-2 on penalties to achieve the opposite European play-off
Bosnia’s followers celebrated loudly and so they can now stay up for a house conflict subsequent Tuesday towards Italy, who finally broke Northern Eire’s resistance in a 2-0 win.
