Match report

Sweden Defeats Ukraine 3-1 in World Cup Qualification

Ukraine
Ukraine
1–3
FT
Sweden
Sweden
Mar 26, 2026

Sweden outclassed Ukraine in a dominant World Cup Qualification match, securing a 3-1 victory. V. Gyökeres led the charge with a hat-trick, while M. Ponomarenko scored Ukraine's lone goal. Sweden's early and consistent goal-scoring stifled Ukraine's chances, though Ukraine showed some late form to salvage a consolation goal.

Key Facts

  • • V. Gyökeres scored a hat-trick for Sweden, including a penalty
  • • M. Ponomarenko scored Ukraine's only goal in the 90th minute
  • • O. Tymchyk and A. Trubin received yellow cards for Ukraine
  • • K. Nordfeldt was cautioned for time-wasting for Sweden
  • • Sweden took an early lead through a goal by V. Gyökeres in the 6th minute

Lineups

Ukraine

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 12 A. Trubin (G)
  • 22 O. Tymchyk (D)
  • 13 I. Zabarnyi (D)
  • 5 V. Bondar (D)
  • 16 V. Mykolenko (D)
  • 21 I. Kaliuzhnyi (M)
  • 15 V. Tsygankov (M)
  • 18 Y. Yarmolyuk (M)
  • 17 G. Sudakov (M)
  • 20 O. Zubkov (M)
  • 19 V. Vanat (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 D. Riznyk
  • 1 R. Neshcheret
  • 3 B. Mykhaylichenko
  • 4 O. Svatok
  • 9 R. Yaremchuk
  • 8 O. Pikhalyonok
  • 10 M. Shaparenko
  • 2 E. Sarapiy
  • 7 O. Gutsulyak
  • 14 O. Ocheretko
  • 6 N. Voloshyn
  • 11 M. Ponomarenko

Sweden

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 23 K. Nordfeldt (G)
  • 2 G. Lagerbielke (D)
  • 4 I. Hien (D)
  • 3 V. Lindelof (D)
  • 6 H. Johansson (M)
  • 18 Y. Ayari (M)
  • 16 J. Karlstrom (M)
  • 5 G. Gudmundsson (M)
  • 11 A. Elanga (F)
  • 10 B. Nygren (F)
  • 17 V. Gyökeres (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 M. Ellborg
  • 1 N. Tornqvist
  • 15 C. Starfelt
  • 9 G. Nilsson
  • 19 M. Svanberg
  • 21 T. Ali
  • 14 R. Bardghji
  • 13 E. Smith
  • 8 D. Svensson
  • 20 H. Larsson
  • 7 L. Bergvall
  • 22 B. Zeneli

Timeline

  1. Sweden
    6' Sweden Goal · Normal Goal
    V. Gyökeres · Assist: B. Nygren
  2. Sweden
    37' Sweden subst · Substitution 1
    Off: I. Hien · On: C. Starfelt
  3. Sweden
    51' Sweden Goal · Normal Goal
    V. Gyökeres · Assist: K. Nordfeldt
  4. Ukraine
    56' Ukraine Card · Yellow Card
    O. Tymchyk

    Foul

  5. Ukraine
    60' Ukraine subst · Substitution 1
    Off: V. Vanat · On: R. Yaremchuk
  6. Ukraine
    60' Ukraine subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Ivan Kalyuzhnyi · On: Oleksii Hutsuliak
  7. Ukraine
    60' Ukraine subst · Substitution 3
    Off: O. Zubkov · On: Oleg Ocheretko
  8. Ukraine
    71' Ukraine Card · Yellow Card
    A. Trubin

    Foul

  9. Sweden
    73' Sweden Goal · Penalty
    V. Gyökeres
  10. Sweden
    75' Sweden Card · Yellow Card
    K. Nordfeldt

    Time wasting

  11. Ukraine
    77' Ukraine subst · Substitution 4
    Off: G. Sudakov · On: M. Ponomarenko
  12. Sweden
    77' Sweden subst · Substitution 2
    Off: G. Gudmundsson · On: D. Svensson
  13. Sweden
    77' Sweden subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Y. Ayari · On: L. Bergvall
  14. Ukraine
    85' Ukraine subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Y. Yarmolyuk · On: M. Shaparenko
  15. Sweden
    90'+4 Sweden subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Elanga · On: M. Svanberg
  16. Ukraine
    90' Ukraine Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Ponomarenko

Match Stats

Stat Ukraine Sweden
Fouls 12 10
Pass Accuracy 84% 75%
Offsides 5 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 10
Corners 9 3
Total Passes 560 270
Yellow Cards 2 1
Blocked Shots 1 2
Shots on Target 4 4
xG — —
Shots off Target 5 4
Possession 68% 32%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 473 203
Shots Inside Box 7 9
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 3 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Sweden's quick goal in the 6th minute set the tone for the match, allowing them to control the game
  • ▸ The second goal in the 51st minute by V. Gyökeres cemented Sweden's dominance, despite Ukraine's late efforts