Ukraine narrowly missed direct qualification for the upcoming tournament despite finishing among the best runners-up, with its only defeats coming against Group D winner France. Meanwhile, Sweden’s campaign unraveled after three straight defeats, leading to the dismissal of head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson.
In a decisive match held on March 26, 2026, at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia in Spain, Sweden emerged victorious with a score of 3-1 against Ukraine. Viktor Gyökeres was the standout player, scoring a hat-trick, while Matviy Ponomarenko netted the only goal for Ukraine.
The match took place at a neutral venue due to the ongoing war with Russia, which has affected Ukraine’s ability to host matches. The crowd was largely composed of the 338,000 Ukrainians residing in Spain, who came out to support their team.
Graham Potter, the head coach of Sweden, praised Gyökeres’s performance, stating, “To score a hat-trick was one thing, but I thought his overall performance, his hold-up play, his defensive responsibility to the team, was incredible.” He anticipated a counterattacking game and noted that the team executed their strategy effectively.
On the other hand, Ukraine’s head coach Serhiy Rebrov expressed disappointment, saying, “We lost tonight because we couldn’t show our maximum as a collective.” This loss marks another setback for Ukraine, which has now fallen at the play-off hurdle six times since 1998.
Historically, Ukraine has had some success against Sweden, with three wins in their previous encounters, including a notable victory at EURO 2012, where Ukraine won 2-1. However, this recent defeat highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Ukrainian national team.
With this victory, Sweden will now face either Poland or Albania on March 31, as they continue their quest for qualification. The match was a critical moment for both teams, with Sweden looking to rebound from their earlier struggles in the World Cup qualification process.
Tickets for the match went on sale from February 23, with prices ranging from €35 to €100 for adults. The atmosphere at the stadium reflected the passion and support from the Ukrainian community in Spain, who turned out in large numbers to cheer for their team.
As the tournament progresses, both teams will be looking to build on this match, with Sweden aiming to maintain their momentum and Ukraine seeking to regroup and find their form.
