World Cup qualifying play-offs: Gyokeres winner sends Sweden to North America, Turkey and Czech Republic also book places
Four European nations sealed their place at this summer’s World Cup in the qualification play-offs on Tuesday night.
Sweden took on Poland, Denmark hosted Czech Republic and Kosovo took on Turkey with a chance to be part of the tournament in North America at stake for the three winners.
Check out our round-up of those three games, with a full report is also available on 101GreatGoals for Italy’s play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Sweden 3-2 Poland
Viktor Gyokeres was Sweden’s hero as his 88th-minute goal secured a 3-2 win over Poland to book their place at the World Cup.
Sweden twice took the lead through Anthony Elanga and Gustaf Lagerbielke scored either side of a Nicola Zalewski goal in the first half, before Karol Swiderski levelled a tense tie shortly after the break.
But with the game heading for extra-time, Arsenal man Gyokeres followed up his two goals in the semi-finals against Ukraine by firing into the roof of the net after a number of Sweden shots to spark pure jubilation at the Strawberry Arena.
The victory sees former Chelsea and West Ham boss Graham Potter deliver on his task to get Sweden to the World Cup as they look ahead to success in Group F this summer, which will see them face Netherlands, Japan – who beat England on Tuesday night – and Tunisia.
Denmark 2-2 Czech Republic (Czech Republic win on pens)
Czech Republic overcame Denmark on penalties following a 2-2 draw in normal time to ensure they would take their place at this summer’s World Cup.
The Czechs, who saw off Republic of Ireland in the semi-finals, made the first breakthrough after just three minutes through Pavel Sulc, before Joachim Andersen levelled for Denmark in the 72nd minute.
Ladislav Krejci then restored the hosts’ lead in extra-time, but the game was level just a minute later through Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh before the game went to penalties.
Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund put Denmark on the backfoot early in the shootout by hitting the bar, with two more Danish players missing including Brentford’s Mathias Jensen, allowing Michal Sadilek to score the all-important spotkick to send his nation to the World Cup.
Czechia will take their place in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea this summer.
Kosovo 0-1 Turkey
Turkey will go into Group D with co-hosts USA, Australia and Paraguay this summer after beating Kosovo 1-0 away in their World Cup play-off tie.
Kerem Akturkoglu scored the winner early in the second half to secure Turkey’s place at the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when they finished third in Japan and South Korea.