Sweden finished the World Cup qualifying group stage with a home match against Slovenia, where the result was completely unimportant. It ended 1–1 and Sweden’s only goal scorer was debutant Gustav Lundgren. He was surprised when he was told he would start the game.
– I kind of thought they had set up the wrong name at first. We have another “GL”, with Gustaf Lagerbielke, but I understood that he cannot play right winger. He was also a little worried that they had put him in the wrong place at first, says Lundgren.
In the 87th minute, he received the ball in the penalty area and put it behind Slovenia goalkeeper Igor Vekić. With that, the match was tied.
– I’m not used to scoring goals, so I don’t have any celebrations in my back pocket right away. But I figured out quite quickly that we should get the ball and try to make another one, he says.
However, there were none more goals and the match thus ended in a draw. Now a playoff awaits in March, where Sweden gets one last chance to make it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Tuesday night’s goal-scoring debutant for the national team naturally hopes to be there as well.
– I will do everything and if they want me to be there, I will be incredibly happy and proud of it. But if it doesn’t happen, I will support from the sidelines or from the TV or whatever it will be, says Lundgren.
On weekdays, Gustav Lundgren plays in Gais, where he scored two goals and nine assists in the Allsvenskan last season. European games await next season for the Gothenburg team, who finished third in this year’s Allsvenskan table. Lundgren is asked if he thinks he needs to leave Gais to continue competing for a national team spot.
– No, I won’t do that. I enjoy myself so much. I have said it many times, but there is more to be done for us in Gais and I want to be part of it.
Sweden is pitted against either Italy, Denmark, Turkey or Ukraine in the first match of the playoffs. Which team it will be will be decided in a draw on Thursday and the playoff will be played at the end of March 2026.
– It feels like they are all tough matches, but I still think they don’t want to be drawn against Sweden either. So they know that we are still a tough team to face, says Gustav Lundgren.
The Swedish national team’s national team captain Graham Potter praises the debutant after the match against Slovenia.
– Very happy for him: to score on debut after the fantastic season he had. He grew into the match and showed what he can contribute, says the national team captain.
Read more:
Sweden can face Denmark in the playoff – after a huge upset
