Sweden and Turkey qualify for World Cup with play-off wins
Turkish fans celebrate the national team's victory in the play-off match against Kosovo and the successful qualification for the World Cup in Berlin. Manuel Genolet/dpa Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres scored an 88th-minute winner as Sweden beat Poland 3-2 to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday, with Turkey also through for the first timne in 24 years from a 1-0 in Kosovo. Sweden had failed to register a win in their six regular qualifying matches but reached the play-offs by virtue of their Nations League results, winning 3-1 against Ukraine last week to set up the duel with Poland in a rematch of their 2022 duel Poland had won.
Sweden led twice in Solna, from Anthony Elanga and Gustav Lagerbielke but Poland hit back on each occasion, from Nikola Zalewski and Karol Świderski. However, with extra-time looming, Gyökeres smashed into the roof of the net after Lucas Bergvall had a shot saved and Besfort Zeneli hit the post. In Pristina, Kosovo came close shortly before the half-hour mark but Turkey goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır pushed a long range ball from Fisnik Asllani against the crossbar.
Turkey scored in the 53rd from Kerem Aktürkoğlu who put the finishing touch on an attempt from Orkun Kökçü. The goal gave them confidence and they held on reach the World Cup for the first time since 2002 when they reached the semi-finals. The other play-off finals in Europe on Tuesday were Bosnia-Herzegovina v Italy and Czech Republic v Denmark.