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. Lewandowski ended his national team career after the game.
The striker posted a picture on Instagram of a moment after the final whistle in which he waves towards the stands with his captain’s armband in his hand. There is no text for this photo, but it is accompanied by the song “Time to say goodbye” (“Time to say goodbye”). The 165th international match (89 goals) will probably have been his last.
Robert Lewandowski will probably end his international career after missing the World Cup qualification.
Swedes celebrate late satisfaction
For the Swedes, the victory was a late satisfaction, because four years ago, in the playoffs for the 2022 World Cup, they had lost to Poland.
Anthony Elanga from Newcastle United scored a dream goal in Solna to make it 1-0 (19th minute), 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′).
Gyökeres wins striker duel with Lewandowski
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 scored all of Sweden’s goals in the 3-1 semi-final win against Ukraine and also became 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. At the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the Scandinavians will face Tunisia, the Netherlands and Japan.
