Sweden are heading to the 2026 World Cup after edging Poland 3-2 in a playoff that never quite settled, right up until the closing minutes.
It started well for Sweden, with Anthony Elanga putting them in front early. Poland didn’t sit back for long though, as Nicola Zalewski brought them level to keep things open.
After the break, same pattern. Sweden went ahead again through Gustaf Lagerbielke, and again Poland found a response, this time via Karol Swiderski to make it 2-2.
At that point, you could feel itone goal would likely settle it. Poland had their spells on the ball, but Sweden just looked a bit more dangerous whenever they pushed forward.
The moment came late. With extra time almost in sight, Viktor Gyokeres got his chance and took it in the 88th minute.
That was enough.
Poland will look back at this one with real frustration. They stayed in it, answered every setback, but never managed to get themselves in front.
And then there’s Robert Lewandowski. This could well be his last shot at the World Cup, and it ends here. Not with a big moment, not with a final push; just a narrow defeat in a game that kept slipping away.
Sweden take the ticket. Poland are left to think about what might have been.
