Solna, Sweden – Sweden secured their place in the upcoming World Cup with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Poland on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. While celebrations erupted amongst the Swedish players and fans, the Polish squad expressed deep disappointment, believing they deserved a different outcome. The match, played in Solna, Sweden, was a closely contested affair that ultimately hinged on a strong Swedish performance and, according to Polish defender Bartosz Bereszyński, a bit of luck.
The result sends Sweden through to the World Cup, while Poland’s hopes of qualification are dashed. The defeat is particularly stinging for the Polish team, who felt they had created the better chances throughout the match. Bereszyński, who plays his club football with Palermo in Italy, voiced his team’s frustration immediately after the final whistle.
Poland’s Perspective: A Match They Believed They Should Have Won
“The match was as we expected,” Bereszyński told reporters. “Sweden is a tough team that likes to win free kicks and corners. They prepared for that, we even saw them practicing it during warm-ups. I feel we were the better team. We created more chances.” He acknowledged the inherent unpredictability of football, stating, “But that’s how it can be in football, and we are remarkably disappointed to have lost such a match and missed out on the World Cup. It hurts a lot. We are sad as we were the better team.”
Bereszyński further elaborated on Poland’s assessment of Sweden’s tactics, noting their reliance on long balls, set pieces, and the pace of their attacking players. “They fight and have fast, good forwards. They did what we expected them to do,” he said. The defender firmly believes the result was unjust, stating, “I think we deserved to win.”
He detailed the flow of the match from Poland’s perspective, recalling a competitive first 20 minutes followed by a Swedish goal. Despite creating several opportunities, Bereszyński lamented the strong performance of the Swedish goalkeeper. “The second half was an even match, but they scored one more goal than us throughout the match,” he added.
Gyökeres’ Decisive Goal
The match-winning goal came from Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres, a player Bereszyński acknowledged as a threat. “He is a good striker. He is in good form and has started scoring goals again. He scored an simple goal and they won. We are very disappointed,” Bereszyński conceded.
Gyökeres’ recent form has been a key factor in Sweden’s success, and his goal proved to be the difference in a tightly contested match. The striker’s ability to capitalize on opportunities ultimately sealed Poland’s fate.
Bereszyński’s Career and Polish Representation
Bartosz Bereszyński, born on July 12, 1992, is a seasoned professional footballer currently playing as a right-back for Serie B club Palermo. According to his Wikipedia page, he has also represented the Poland national team 59 times as of November 17, 2025. His career has included stints with Lech Poznań, Legia Warsaw, and Sampdoria, demonstrating a consistent level of performance at the club level. His move from Lech Poznań to Legia Warsaw, two fierce rivals, earned him the nickname “Judas” from some Lech fans, highlighting the passionate nature of Polish football.
Bereszyński’s experience and leadership are valuable assets to the Polish national team, and his disappointment following the defeat is a testament to his commitment to representing his country. His post-match comments reflect the collective frustration of the Polish squad, who believed they had done enough to secure a place in the World Cup.
What’s Next for Both Teams
For Sweden, the focus now shifts to preparation for the World Cup. They will undoubtedly analyze their performance against Poland and refine their tactics as they gear up for the tournament. The team will be looking to build on this victory and make a strong showing on the world stage.
Poland, meanwhile, faces a period of reflection and rebuilding. They will need to assess their performance, identify areas for improvement, and begin planning for future qualifying campaigns. The disappointment of missing out on the World Cup will undoubtedly serve as motivation for the team to come back stronger in the future.
The next steps for both teams will be crucial in shaping their future success. Sweden will aim to capitalize on their World Cup qualification, while Poland will strive to overcome their disappointment and rebuild for future challenges.
