VIKTOR GYOKERES fired Graham Potter’s Sweden to the World Cup with a dramatic late winner.
The Arsenal forward struck in the 88th minute, his fourth goal in five days after his hat-trick downed Ukraine in the play-off semis, to see off Poland and deny Robert Lewandowski one more World Cup ticket.
That was after first-half goals from Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga and ex-Celtic defender Gustaf Lagerbielke had been cancelled out by Poland’s Nicola Zalewski and Karol Swiderski.
It marks a remarkable resurgence for English boss Potter, sacked by West Ham just six months ago and parachuted in to deliver Sweden a ticket to the World Cup — after they managed just two points in qualifying.
He will now be the only Englishman in a dugout at the summer’s finals.
It was sweet revenge for four years ago, when the Poles beat the Swedes in a play-off final to reach Qatar 2022.
Gunners ace Gyokeres was having a limited impact last night before his late winner.
But it was another Prem duo who crafted Sweden’s dream start.
Brighton’s Yasin Ayari, who grew up a stone’s throw from Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena, nudged the ball on to Elanga with a cute backheel, before the Toon ace blasted it in off the underside of the crossbar.
Poland, who had come from behind to beat Albania 2-1 in their semi-final, levelled through Zalewski’s low strike on 33 minutes.
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But Sweden went into the break ahead when Lagerbielke nodded in Benjamin Nygren’s free-kick.
Ten minutes into the second half, Poland were back level again.
Aston Villa full-back Matty Cash lifted a cross in and Zalewski prodded across goal for Swiderski to tap home.
After that gut punch, Spurs midfielder Lucas Bergvall came off the bench and helped raise the tempo for the hosts.
And Besfort Zeneli hit the post after a Bergval shot was saved.
Amid the carnage, Gyokeres remained cool, controlled the ball and smashed Sweden to North America from five yards out.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping the striker can bring that form back to the Premier League and fire the team to the title.
His treble last week was sweet — but that one strike will live forever.
At the other end, 165-cap 37-year-old Lewandowski’s dream of a third dance on the biggest stage was shattered.
