Gyokeres shakes off knee scare to score as Sweden draw with Greece in World Cup warm-up

Viktor Gyokeres escaped a potentially serious knee injury during Sweden’s 2-2 friendly draw with Greece, only to equalise from a free-kick shortly after the incident as his country prepared for the World Cup.

The Arsenal forward was caught by a challenge from behind by Greek defender Panagiotis Retsos in the second half, his right foot becoming wedged between the defender’s legs as he collapsed and twisted at an awkward angle. Gyokeres visibly winced and grabbed his knee as he went down, a moment that will have alarmed both Sweden and Arsenal.

He was able to continue, however, and made an immediate impact. With Sweden trailing 1-0 — a goal from former Liverpool full-back Kostas Tsimikas having given Greece the lead — Gyokeres levelled from roughly 30 yards with a deflected free-kick. Gustaf Nilsson then put Sweden ahead 16 minutes later, only for Giorgos Masouras to equalise in the 95th minute and deny the Swedes a morale-boosting win.

Sweden, now managed by former Chelsea and West Ham boss Graham Potter, were facing the 2004 European Champions in a pre-tournament warm-up. Gyokeres started alongside Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, the pair expected to be central to Sweden’s ambitions at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The result will have been a frustration, but the most significant outcome for Sweden was Gyokeres coming through unscathed. The 27-year-old has scored 20 goals in 33 international appearances, though this summer’s World Cup will be his first major tournament — his previous Sweden appearances having come in qualifiers, friendlies and the Nations League.

Sweden open their Group F campaign against Tunisia on June 15, before facing the Netherlands on June 20 and Japan on June 26.