Arsenal international scores free-kick in pre-World Cup friendly

Viktor Gyokeres scored a free-kick for Sweden in their final friendly match ahead of the World Cup in midweek, his first appearance since the Champions League final.

SOLNA, SWEDEN - MARCH 31: Viktor Gyoekeres of Sweden celebrates victory with teammates following the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Sweden and Poland at Strawberry Arena on March 31, 2026 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images) — Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres was given a very short break following the Champions League final, missing Sweden’s first pre-World Cup friendly against Norway on Monday.

With Sweden losing that match 3-1, the team would have been keen to turn things around and get a morale-boosting result in their second friendly against Greece on Thursday.

But despite Gyokeres returning to the starting lineup, things didn’t get off to the best start as Konstantinos Tsimikas gave the away side a 1-0 lead in the first 10 minutes.

SOLNA, SWEDEN - MARCH 31: Anthony Elanga of Sweden celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Viktor Gyoekeres during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Sweden and Poland at Strawberry Arena on March 31, 2026 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images) — Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images

Far from being an undeserved lead, Greece very easily could have added to their advantage. Dimitrios Kourbelis hit the bar with a shot from distance in the first half, and Vangelis Pavlidis hit the post with a curling effort shortly after the break.

But Gyokeres was on hand to get his team back into the game, converting a direct free-kick in the 53rd minute with the help of a deflection.

Gyokeres was subbed off shortly after, and substitute Gustaf Nilsson gave Sweden the lead in the 69th minute. But the comeback came crashing down in injury time, as Georgios Masouras equalised for Greece with just seconds to spare.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 24: Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyoekeres, Ben White and Martin Odegaard of Arsenal pose for a photograph the Premier League trophy as players of Arsenal celebrate, as they are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2025/26 Season, after the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park on May 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League) — Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images For Premier League

Sweden will now have to pick themselves up ahead of the World Cup, with their first game against Tunisia on June 15th at 04:00 BST. The team also face the Netherlands (with Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber) and Japan (with ex-Gunner Takehiro Tomiyasu) in the group stage.

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