Gyokeres sends Sweden to the World Cup as Arsenal trio learn fate

Viktor Gyokeres delivered the headline moment of Arsenal’s latest international fixtures, scoring late to send Sweden to the 2026 World Cup and rounding off an outstanding break in national colours. It was a very different ending for Riccardo Calafiori and Christian Norgaard, who both fell short in playoff finals as Italy and Denmark were beaten on penalties.

Sweden beat Poland 3-2 in Solna, with the Arsenal striker scoring the decisive goal in the 88th minute to seal qualification. It completed a major international window for the forward, who had already hit a hat-trick in the semifinal against Ukraine, and it means he will head into the club run-in on the back of one of the biggest moments of his season. Poland had twice fought their way back into the game before Gyokeres settled it late, which made his winner all the more significant.

This was not a routine friendly or a comfortable qualifier. It was a match with a World Cup place on the line, and Gyokeres was the player who made the difference. In terms of confidence and momentum, Arsenal could hardly have asked for a stronger ending to his break.

Calafiori’s night ended very differently. Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia and Herzegovina before losing 4-1 on penalties, a result that means the Azzurri will miss a third straight World Cup.  Italy had led through Moise Kean before Bosnia equalised and eventually prevailed in the shootout. For Calafiori, it was a brutal result given the scale of the occasion and the growing pressure that already surrounded Italy’s playoff campaign.

That defeat will sting well beyond this international window. Italy’s absence from another World Cup is a major story in itself, and Calafiori returns to Arsenal after another disappointing year for Italian football. Calafiori played the full 90 minutes in both the semi-final and playoff final, so the Gunners will hope the defender isn't too fatigued going into the run-in.

Norgaard also ended the night on the wrong side of a shootout, after being substituted on in the 60th minute. Denmark drew 2-2 with Czechia in Prague before losing on penalties, despite twice fighting back in the match itself.  Denmark pushed the tie all the way, only to fall short at the final hurdle.

For the Arsenal players, it was a night of sharply contrasting outcomes. Gyokeres goes to the World Cup as Sweden’s match-winner, while Calafiori and Norgaard return after painful playoff defeats. The overall picture is mixed, but the biggest moment belonged to Gyokeres, and it was one that could carry real momentum back into Arsenal’s season.