Viktor Gyokeres was handed a World Cup injury scare during Sweden’s recent friendly against Greece. Having just clinched the Premier League title with Arsenal, the Swede has turned his attention toward the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Sweden, now under the management of former Chelsea and West Ham United boss Graham Potter, faced the 2004 European Champions in a pre-tournament warm-up fixture. Gyokeres started alongside Liverpool striker Alexander Isak.
During the second half, the Gunners forward was brought down by a clumsy challenge from behind by Greek defender Panagiotis Retsos. The manner in which Gyokeres’ right foot became trapped between Retsos’ limbs would have made uncomfortable viewing for any Arsenal supporters watching the match.
Gyokeres attempted to break free from the defender, only to be cut down by a tackle from behind. His foot became wedged between both of Retsos’ legs as he collapsed and twisted at an awkward angle, reports Football London.
A clear and visible wince crossed the Swede’s face as he went down and grabbed his knee. It’s the sort of moment which would have concerned all Arsenal supporters and Mikel Arteta.
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Thankfully, Gyokeres was able to shake off the discomfort and continue playing. He even proceeded to convert a free-kick for his nation shortly after the interval. Sweden were trailing 1-0 at the time, courtesy of a goal from former Liverpool full-back Kostas Tsimikas.
Gyokeres drew his side level from roughly 30 yards out with a free-kick that took a deflection before nestling into the net.
View 3 ImagesViktor Gyokeres was on the end of a bruising challenge in Sweden’s recent friendly against Greece(Image: Viaplay)
Gustaf Nilsson then added a second for Sweden 16 minutes later, though a 95th-minute equaliser from Giorgos Masouras denied the Swedes a morale-boosting victory ahead of the World Cup. While the result will have been frustrating, the most significant takeaway for Sweden was Gyokeres emerging from the match without injury.
He and Isak are set to be among the Scandinavian nation’s most influential figures across the Atlantic. They kick off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 15.
View 3 ImagesViktor Gyokeres managed to get through the friendly unscathed(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Following that opener against the north Africans, Sweden face the Netherlands on June 20, before rounding off Group F against Japan six days later. Gyokeres’ goalscoring record at international level is nothing short of impressive.
Across 33 caps, he has netted 20 times for his country. Nevertheless, this summer’s World Cup will mark his first major tournament on the international stage, having previously only featured in World Cup and European qualifiers, international friendlies and the Nations League.
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