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Sweden v Switzerland - FIFA World Cup 2026 QualifierGetty Images Sport
Tom Bellwood

Alexander Isak & Viktor Gyokeres fail to produce single shot on target in embarrassing loss to Switzerland as Sweden's World Cup hopes take huge hit

A. Isak
V. Gyoekeres
Sweden
Liverpool
Arsenal
Premier League
World Cup Qualification UEFA

Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres were signed for a combined £185 million ($247m), becoming two of the most controversial transfer stories of the summer, but the pair flopped spectacularly when it mattered most for their country after they failed to hit the target during a damaging 2-0 defeat by Switzerland. The defeat leaves Sweden’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

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  • World Cup hopes fade for Sweden

    Sweden's star strikers both played the full 90 minutes, but failed to test Swiss goalkeeper Viktor Johansson during the World Cup qualifier. Isak hit the crossbar with an early shot and later set up a clear chance for Lucas Bergvall, which was also missed. The performance leaves Sweden at the bottom of Group B with only one point from three games and has further dampened their hopes of qualifying for the next summer’s World Cup.

  • viktor-gyokeres(C)Getty Images

    Blockbuster summer transfers

    Isak’s move concluded a lengthy summer transfer saga which saw the striker pull out all the stops to leave Newcastle. He notably missed the club's pre-season and opening Premier League fixtures due to his efforts to secure a move, even training alone at one point. Isak subsequently accused the Magpies of "broken promises" regarding his future, a claim the club denies. Newcastle had rejected an initial £110m ($146.7) bid from Liverpool, but eventually accepted the increased offer. Gyokeres joined Arsenal in a deal worth £60 million ($80.1m) after Sporting's president had adopted a hard stance on his departure, criticising Gyokeres' behaviour to force the move. 

    Gyokeres joined Arsenal after two prolific seasons, scoring an impressive 97 goals in 102 appearances across all competitions and winning back-to-back Primeira Liga titles. However, the initial months of his Arsenal career have failed to hit those heights, seeing him score three goals in 10 appearances across all competitions. 


  • Isak slammed over fight for fitness

    When asked about Isak’s conduct during the transfer process, former Liverpool, West Ham and Everton midfielder Don Hutchison told onlinecasino.com: "There’s no doubt (that he’s been unprofessional). Alexander Isak should have been more professional over the summer, and he’s paying for it now. He should have seen the bigger picture. Walking away from the training camp was poor in the first place, and then when he came back to Newcastle, he should have thought two things. One, he was either going to go to Liverpool or stay at Newcastle. So either way, he needed to be match fit. He shouldn’t have been selfish and trained with Newcastle even if he knew he would force himself out. If the move didn’t happen, he’d then be match fit for Newcastle. It was unprofessional and naive not just to down tools, but to sacrifice his match fitness for whoever he was going to play for. I think he’s been managed and advised really badly by his agent all summer. It comes down to the player, ultimately. He’s under contract with Newcastle, he owes them fitness and professionalism. Bigger picture, if you end up at Liverpool you have to hit the ground running. Now he’s playing catch-up and it’s because of how he behaved."

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  • Crystal Palace v Liverpool - Premier LeagueGetty Images Sport

    Uphill battle for World Cup berth

    So, will we see Isak and Gyokeres at next summer’s tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico? It’s looking tricky, but not impossible. Winning all their matches would be a good start, to give themselves a chance of finishing in the top two of their group, but their best hope is to progress via the playoff berth which they earned courtesy of winning their Nations League group.

    Sweden have three more World Cup qualifiers to play, against Kosovo, Switzerland, and Slovenia. While it is unlikely they can catch the Swiss, who have won their three qualifiers thus far, second-placed Kosovo have just four points, meaning the fixture between the pair could be termed as a six-pointer. Sweden desperately need to win that fixture, and will be boosted by the fact it will take place on home soil, in Gothenburg.