Tuesday, November 19 at 23:01
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The Norwegian superstar was the top scorer in the Nations League with seven goals after three strikes against Kazakhstan on Sunday. But that was before the Swedish 26-year-old kicked off a mad goal spree against Azerbaijan on Tuesday night. Gyökeres scored two goals in the first half and continued with two in the second half against Azerbaijan.
Thus, the Swedish Sporting Lisbon star became the top scorer in the Nations League with nine goals.
Earlier in November, former Real Madrid and Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart said he believes Gyökeres is better than Haaland. This was after Sporting had just beaten Manchester City 4–1 in the Champions League. The Swede scored three goals, two of them from penalties.
In other words, Gyökeres is on fire at the moment and is being linked to Manchester United, which has acquired a new coach. And the new coach, Ruben Amorim, comes from none other than Sporting.
Sweden won their group with 16 points and a solid goal difference ahead of Slovakia.
<img alt="NOT THREE: But four goals were scored by Viktor Gyökeres on Tuesday night. Photo: JAKOB AKERSTEN BRODEN / AFP / NTB" class="_image_e3l64_72 layout-component layout-normal" data-fullscreen-sizes="(min-width: 1000px) 2000px, 2000vw" data-track-element-type="Article image fullscreen" data-track-name="ImageFullscreen" height="2560" itemprop="image" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 980px) 980px, 100vw" src="https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/44b0a61e-fe97-45db-be5c-44988511ed33?format=auto&w=40&s=6c836688ce1132ced1a9fbc81047347b0e995530" srcset="https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/44b0a61e-fe97-45db-be5c-44988511ed33?format=auto&w=40&s=6c836688ce1132ced1a9fbc81047347b0e995530 40w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/44b0a61e-fe97-45db-be5c-44988511ed33?format=auto&w=80&s=892f9b2e1b79e18a3201ffa5802ae6840a5ea9e7 80w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/44b0a61e-fe97-45db-be5c-44988511ed33?format=auto&w=100&s=5489e432cf85afd383e26ae1ab345b13120b6002 100w, https://akamai.vgc.no/v2/images/44b0a61e-fe97-45db-be5c-44988511ed33?format=auto&w=200&s=17685ccf5NOT THREE: But four goals were scored by Viktor Gyökeres on Tuesday night. Photo: JAKOB AKERSTEN BRODEN / AFP / NTB
But it was Tottenham player Dejan Kulusevski who started the goal fest. He also scored 4–0 in Stockholm at Strawberry Arena.
In group 3, the Netherlands stumbled against Bosnia-Herzegovina and could only manage a draw, 1–1. The Netherlands scored first with Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, but Ermedin Demirovic from Stuttgart equalized.
Germany won group 3, five points ahead of the Netherlands.
How could a transfer to a top club like Manchester United affect Viktor Gyökeres’s career?
Interview: Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone, to our special interview on today’s football highlights. I’m here with football expert David Johnson, who’s going to help us unpack the recent remarkable performance of Viktor Gyökeres. David, thank you for joining us!
David Johnson (DJ): Thanks for having me! It’s a pleasure to be here.
TNE: Let’s dive right in. Viktor Gyökeres has just established himself as the top scorer in the Nations League with nine goals, surpassing the likes of Erling Braut Haaland. What do you think has contributed to this outstanding achievement?
DJ: It’s been a combination of factors. Firstly, Gyökeres’s recent performances have shown an incredible blend of determination and skill. Scoring four goals in one match against Azerbaijan is no small feat! He’s really found his scoring touch, and his confidence is soaring.
TNE: Amazing, indeed! You mentioned confidence. How much does the team’s overall performance and support from his teammates play into an individual player’s success?
DJ: A lot, actually. Sweden won their group with a solid performance which allows individual players like Gyökeres to shine. A supportive environment can help players take more risks and express themselves on the pitch. When a team is doing well, individual players can capitalize on the momentum, and Gyökeres is a prime example of that.
TNE: Earlier this month, Rafael van der Vaart said that Gyökeres might even be better than Haaland. How significant do you think this comparison is, considering Haaland’s own impressive record?
DJ: That’s a bold statement! While Haaland has certainly proven himself in major leagues and tournaments, it’s crucial to note that Gyökeres is proving himself on the international stage and at the club level as well. This kind of praise can add pressure, but it can also motivate Gyökeres to keep pushing forward. That said, performance consistency is key in proving that claim over time.
TNE: Speaking of motivation, Gyökeres is reportedly linked with a move to Manchester United under their new coach, Ruben Amorim, who previously coached at Sporting Lisbon. How do you think this potential move could impact him?
DJ: A transfer to a club like Manchester United is huge and could be career-defining. Playing in the Premier League is a different level, and it presents new challenges. If that move materializes, it could elevate his game even further. Plus, being under a coach who knows him well can help ease that transition. However, he must maintain his focus and continue to perform at a high level.
TNE: Sweden’s recent win against Azerbaijan and their overall group performance solidify their place in the competition. What does that say about Swedish football going forward?
DJ: It shows that Swedish football is on the rise! They have a strong squad with young talent and experienced players who can perform at high levels. This success can attract more attention to their leagues, boost player development, and inspire the next generation of Swedish footballers. It’s an exciting time for Sweden!
TNE: Lastly, what can we expect from Gyökeres and the Swedish team in the upcoming matches?
DJ: If Gyökeres continues this scoring form and the team maintains their unity and performance level, they will definitely be a contender. Gyökeres has the potential to become a key player for Sweden, especially in bigger tournaments. I anticipate we’ll see more incredible performances from him and the entire team.
TNE: Fantastic insights, David! Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. It’ll be exciting to see how this all unfolds for Viktor Gyökeres and Swedish football.
DJ: My pleasure! I can’t wait to see what happens next.
TNE: And thank you to our viewers for tuning in! Stay with us for more updates on football and other sports stories.