Ex-Bayern striker stunned
After qualifying with Poland: Lewandowski hints at retirement
Updated April 1, 2026 – 12:09 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
A real roller coaster ride unfolds in Solna. Poland can no longer recover from a very late shock.
Relentless Swedes have destroyed Robert Lewandowski’s dream of a third World Cup appearance. The Swedish national soccer team defeated Poland 3-2 (1-1) in the playoff final in Solna thanks to a late goal and thus secured one of the last European tickets to America. In the difficult Group F, Sweden will face the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in the summer.
Poland’s striker caused a stir after the game with a post on Instagram – with which he probably indicated his resignation from the national team: In his story, Lewandowski published a photo of himself after the game waving goodbye, with “Time to say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli playing. The 37-year-old has played 165 international matches for his country and scored 89 goals.
Anthony Elanga from Newcastle United scored a dream goal in Solna to make it 1-0 (19th), teammate Yasin Ayari had also delivered the ball with his heel, which was also worth seeing. Nicola Zalewski (33rd) managed to equalize for Poland. Gustaf Lagerbielke (44′) headed the score 2-1, Poland hit back again through Karol Swiderski (55′). Top star Viktor Gyökeres (89th) finally brought Sweden to the World Cup.
The Swedish squad included Bundesliga professionals Daniel Svensson (Dortmund), Mattias Svanberg (Wolfsburg) and Hugo Larsson (Frankfurt). 50,000 spectators were particularly hoping for more goals from Gyökeres – the Arsenal professional had scored all of Sweden’s goals in the 3-1 semi-final win against Ukraine and was also a hero in Solna.
Poland, which was in the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and previously won the playoff against Sweden, held out with Lewandowski. However, the two star attackers remained in supporting roles for a long time; the defense focused too much on them. But then Gyökeres, who had been inconspicuous until then, scored decisively. For Sweden, runners-up at the 1958 home World Cup, it is the 13th participation.
