Viktor Gyökeres shines as Sweden draws with Greece in World Cup warm-up

Viktor Gyökeres has taken his club form straight onto the international stage, bending in a superb free-kick as Sweden drew 2-2 with Greece in their final warm-up before the 2026 World Cup.

In Stockholm, the Swedish striker – so ruthless all domestic season – reminded everyone he is just as dangerous from a dead ball as he is in open play. With his side trailing and the tempo rising, he stepped up in the second half and curled a precise effort beyond the wall and into the corner, a finish full of confidence and control.

Greece had struck first through Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas, who arrived from the left to open the scoring for the visitors and briefly silence the home crowd. Gyökeres’ response reignited the stadium, and the momentum swung. Sweden pushed on, and Gustaf Nilsson turned the game on its head, nudging the hosts in front as the clock ticked towards stoppage time.

They could not quite see it out. Deep into added time, at 95 minutes, Giorgos Masouras pounced with a late equaliser, snatching a draw for Greece and denying Sweden the perfect send-off. The scoreline may have slipped, but Gyökeres’ sharpness and authority will encourage Sweden as they head to the biggest stage of all.

Merino wears the armband as Spain held in A Coruña

Across in A Coruña, Spain also said goodbye to their home crowd before the World Cup, drawing 1-1 with fellow qualifiers Iraq in a game that mixed control with a few sharp reminders of tournament jeopardy.

Spain started on the front foot. Ferran Torres broke the deadlock, finishing after a neat assist from Dani Olmo, the kind of combination play La Roja want to bottle and take with them across the Atlantic. They moved the ball, they probed, they led.

Then came the jolt. Merchas Doski caught goalkeeper Joan Garcia off guard, levelling the match and briefly draining the noise from the stands. Spain had dominated, but Iraq’s equaliser underlined how quickly a World Cup opponent can punish a lapse.

The second half turned into a test of rhythm and patience. On 68 minutes, Mikel Merino replaced Alex Baena and, by the closing stages, the midfielder had taken the captain’s armband, a small but telling nod to his growing stature within the squad. Spain pushed, Iraq held firm, and the night ended in a stalemate rather than a send-off party.

Next, La Roja cross the ocean to Mexico, where they face Peru in Puebla in their final rehearsal before the real thing begins.

O’Neill’s senior bow marks a new step for Hale End graduate

Away from the World Cup build-up, one of the night’s most significant moments arrived in Cádiz, far from the glare of the global contenders.

At the Estadio Municipal de la Línea de la Concepción, Ceadach O’Neill made his senior debut for Northern Ireland, a landmark occasion for the 18-year-old Hale End winger. Already involved with first-team squads during the 2025/26 campaign and a standout in Premier League 2 and the UEFA Youth League, he took the next step with a calm, composed introduction to full international football.

Northern Ireland edged past Guinea 1-0, with Tom Atcheson scoring the decisive goal. O’Neill entered the fray in the 64th minute, replacing Isaac Price and adding fresh legs and energy as his side protected their narrow lead under Spanish skies.

For the teenager, it is a breakthrough that could quickly lead to an even bigger stage. Northern Ireland now travel to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille to face France – and O’Neill may find himself lining up against one of his club’s established stars in a fixture that would test any young player’s nerve.