World Cup Qualifier – Dzekeresh scores hat-trick as Sweden defeats Ukraine 3-1

In another playoff match in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Sweden, playing at the City Stadium in Valencia, defeated Ukraine 3-1 after Dzekereš scored three goals.

Six minutes into the match, Benjamin Nigren broke through the defense on the left wing and passed the ball into the penalty area, where Dzekereis slotted it home from close range, giving Sweden a dream start of 1-0. In the 10th minute, Benjamin Nigren took a corner kick, and Isaac Hein headed the ball towards goal, but it went over the bar.

In the 14th minute, Ukraine attempted a counter-attack. Tsygankov received a pass from his teammate and unleashed a powerful shot, but the ball went over the goal. In the 19th minute, Mykolenko received the ball on the left wing, dealt with the defense, and crossed the ball, but was unable to create a shooting opportunity.

In the 25th minute, Sweden created an attacking opportunity. Gudmundsson received a pass from Yassin Ayari and shot from inside the penalty area, but the ball hit the post. In the 37th minute, Isak Hein suffered an injury and was subsequently replaced by Staffield. In the 38th minute, Ukrainian defender Timchik delivered a cross, and Tsygankov's header went over the bar.

Shortly after the start of the second half, Sweden took a corner kick. Ragbilk headed the ball across, and Stafeld's shot in the ensuing scramble was blocked by Ukrainian goalkeeper Trubin. Gudmundsson then followed up with a shot, but it went wide of the goal.

In the 51st minute, Swedish goalkeeper Nurdfeldt kicked off, and Dzekereis received the ball, surged into the penalty area, dribbled past the defender, and slotted the ball into the net, giving Sweden a 2-0 lead over Ukraine. In the 69th minute, Ukraine launched an attack, and Tsygankov received the ball and shot from the penalty area, but the ball was saved by Swedish goalkeeper Nurdfeldt.

In the 71st minute, Dzekereš was brought down in the penalty area by Ukrainian goalkeeper Trubin, and the referee awarded Sweden a penalty. Dzekereš converted the penalty, extending Sweden's lead to 3-0. In the 80th minute, Yarmolyuk passed the ball to Tsygankov, who followed up with a shot, but the ball went over the goal.

In the 90th minute, Sweden made a mistake while clearing the ball, and Ponomarenko headed it into the net, helping Ukraine pull one back to 1-3.

In the end, Sweden defeated Ukraine 3-1 and advanced to the playoff final.

Image source: Internet