Viktor Gyokeres has not scored for the Swedish national team for more than 1 year, before he scored 3 goals against Ukraine in the play-off semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Europe.
Throughout the past match, the Arsenal striker has shown a fairly standard playing style of a typical center forward, something Arsenal has been looking for for many years under Mikel Arteta.
The opening goal came after only 5 minutes, when Gyokeres' excellent movement near the goal helped him escape both Ukrainian center-backs to receive a pass from Benjamin Nygren. After that, Gyokeres confidently finished to beat goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
The 27-year-old star's second goal came early in the second half and it required more effort than the opening goal. When Swedish goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt launched a long pass forward, Gyokeres stood alone in the opposite half of the field. He used his physique and technique to catch the ball in the air and control it.
Immediately, Gyokeres ran straight towards the Ukrainian goal, pushing center-back Valeriy Bondar into the penalty area. Once in position, Gyokeres turned the ball inside with his right foot and finished accurately into the unstoppable low corner from a distance of 15m.
To the 3rd goal from the penalty spot, Gyokeres earned it from a situation of breaking into the opponent's penalty area. Goalkeeper Trubin was forced to foul and from the 11m spot, the Arsenal striker completed a hat-trick. The moment Trubin touched the ball made Swedish fans a little uneasy, but in the end, the hat-trick came to their star.
I joked with him before the match that he should score a hat-trick. Viktor Gyokeres' performance is incredible, not only because of the goals scored in this match. Scoring is one thing, but the ability to hold the ball and support defense is very noteworthy.
Gyokeres' performance today will definitely dominate the media. He deserves it and so does the team today" - Graham Potter shared.
Gyokeres did not score when the Swedish team only got 2 points after 6 group stage matches in the European region.
He also did not score in the first 4 matches and missed 2 other matches due to a hamstring injury. Gyokeres' last international goal was in November 2024, when he was still a Sporting Lisbon player.
In that match, Gyokeres scored 4 goals in a 6-0 victory over Azerbaijan. That poker shot was part of a total of 9 goals in 6 Nations League matches in Sweden's Group C.
Gyokeres' form is gradually improving, both in the national team and club colors. His hat-trick is expected to help this striker's confidence rise to a high level, preparing for the final sprint with Arsenal from April. Currently in Arsenal colors, Gyokeres has 16 goals in all competitions.
In the immediate future, Gyokeres will have the most important match of this year with the national team when Sweden will clash with Poland in the play-off final to win a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Sweden will have home advantage and this is also Gyokeres' personal showdown with legend Robert Lewandowski in the opposite half of the field.
After returning from the FIFA Days, Gyokeres will join Arsenal to face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-finals. In the reunion with his old team, Gyokeres wants to shine more than ever to once again prove his worth.
