Viktor Gyökeres Shines for Sweden Ahead of World Cup
Viktor Gyökeres has taken his club form straight onto the international stage, striking a sumptuous free-kick in Sweden’s final warm-up game before the 2026 World Cup.
In Stockholm, with the hosts chasing a way back into the contest against Greece, the Swedish striker stood over a dead ball and delivered. He curled his effort beyond the wall and into the net in the second half, a reminder of the ruthless touch that lit up his domestic season.
The night had started badly for Sweden. Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas silenced the home crowd by opening the scoring for Greece, guiding the visitors in front and briefly shifting the mood inside the stadium. Gyökeres dragged his side back into it, his equaliser swinging momentum Sweden’s way and sharpening the tempo of every challenge and every run.
The pressure told again when Gustaf Nilsson struck to put Sweden 2-1 up, the turnaround seemingly complete. Yet the final act belonged to Greece. Deep into stoppage time, in the 95th minute, Giorgos Masouras arrived with a late equaliser, snatching a 2-2 draw and denying Sweden a farewell win before they head to the World Cup.
Spain held at home as Merino takes the armband
Across in A Coruña, Spain also signed off in front of their own fans with a draw, sharing a 1-1 result with fellow World Cup qualifiers Iraq.
La Roja started with purpose. Ferran Torres finished off a well-worked move after being picked out by Dani Olmo, a sharp attack that underlined Spain’s familiar fluency in the final third. Iraq refused to fold. Merchas Doski caught goalkeeper Joan Garcia off guard with a strike that levelled the game and quietened the celebrations.
The second half became a test of rhythm and patience. On 68 minutes, Mikel Merino entered the fray, replacing Alex Baena. By the closing stages, the midfielder had the captain’s armband on his sleeve, guiding a young side through the final moments of a cagey stalemate.
Spain now leave home soil behind and head across the Atlantic to Mexico, where Peru await in Puebla in their final tune-up before the tournament begins.
O’Neill’s senior bow for Northern Ireland
Away from the World Cup build-up, there was a milestone of a different kind in Cadiz.
At the Estadio Municipal de la Linea de la Concepción, Ceadach O’Neill stepped onto the pitch for his senior Northern Ireland debut. The 18-year-old winger, a Hale End product who has already been involved with first-team squads this season and impressed in Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League, came on as a second-half substitute in a tight 1-0 win over Guinea.
Tom Atcheson provided the decisive moment, scoring the only goal of the game, while O’Neill entered in the 64th minute in place of Isaac Price to taste his first senior international action.
His reward could be an even bigger stage. Northern Ireland now travel to Lille to face France at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, where O’Neill may find himself lining up against one of his club team-mates under the glare of a far grander spotlight.
