It ended on a sour note, but Viktor Gyokeres will never forget his experience in the land of apple pie. The 28-year-old striker got a goal and two assists as Sweden smashed Tunisia 5-1 on his FIFA World Cup™ debut. After getting through the group, however, Graham Potter’s side ran into free-scoring title favourites France in the Round of 32. It went the way most – albeit not Gyokeres – envisaged. The Arsenal man couldn’t hide his dejection at full-time, but his did choose to accentuate the positives.
“It can't get much bigger than the World Cup,” he told FIFA. “It’s incredible and I’m very proud.” Another plus was the Swedish supporters, who, despite outnumbered by Frenchmen and being behind since Kylian Mbappe struck his first goal on the break’s brink, didn’t stop signing during a 3-0 defeat. “They're the reason we’re here,” said Gyokeres gratefully. “We can’t do this without them. I’m sorry we couldn’t make more of this tournament.”
Gyokeres believes France are in with a shot of going all the way. “Attacking-wise, they’re very well connected,” he said. “They know each other well, you can see it, you can feel it on the pitch. If they keep going like this and keep their defence organised – if they don’t let the opposition create so much – I think they will go very far, for sure. They’re a very good team.”
William Saliba, Gyokeres’ Gunners team-mate helped keep Les Bleus’ backline brick-like tight against the Blågult. “It was good to play against him,” said the Stockholmer. “He’s a very good defender. That’s what I love to do: play against the best.”
Gyokeres especially wants to compete against the elite at the World Cup 2030 in Morocco, Portugal and Spain. “We’re a new team,” he remarked. “We haven’t played in a big tournament before, or at least I only think one of us has. “We’re a new team compared to a lot of others. France have played a lot together in tournaments before. “I think we have extremely talented players. With time, I think we’re going to be very, very good.”
Sources: FIFA Official
