Gabriel Gudmundsson seals World Cup place as Switzerland clarify Noah Okafor injury absence | OneFootball

Gabriel Gudmundsson will go to the World Cup after Sweden beat Poland 3-2 in Tuesday’s play-off final, the Leeds United defender completing 90 minutes.

The 26-year-old had shaken off a knock from the Ukraine tie to start for Graham Potter’s side, who booked their place in the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.

Gudmundsson helped create the opener, his low cross finding Yasin Ayari whose touch teed up Anthony Elanga inside 19 minutes. Nicola Zalewski equalised, then Gustaf Lagerbielke restored Sweden’s lead before the break.

Karol Swiderski levelled 10 minutes after half-time and extra-time loomed, but Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres swept in an 88th-minute winner.

Noah Okafor was left out as Switzerland drew 0-0 in Norway, having also missed last week’s defeat to Germany amid reports of a training-ground knock. The federation said Granit Xhaka and Okafor were omitted as a precaution while returning from injury, a decision agreed with the players and staff.

Ao Tanaka featured for 16 minutes at Wembley as Japan beat a dismal England 1-0, with Kaoru Mitoma finishing a slick first-half counter as Thomas Tuchel’s side struggled.

Joe Rodon and Karl Darlow played 90 minutes in Wales’ 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland, with Ethan Ampadu and Daniel James off the bench. Jaka Bijol captained Slovenia in a 3-2 win over Montenegro. Brenden Aaronson came on for 10 minutes as the USA lost 2-0 at home to Portugal.

Source: yorkshireevenpost.co.uk