FanSided World Football
·19 November 2024
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Yahoo sportsFanSided World Football
·19 November 2024
On Tuesday, the final day of this international break, there were a few Tottenham Hotspur players with a final game - including Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall with the Sweden national team - as they hosted Azerbaijan.
Despite securing their promotion to league B of the UEFA nations league on Saturday night, Kulusevski was again named in the starting XI by manager Jon Dahl Tomasson as he once again played as a number ten behind Alekander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. Bergvall was named among the substitutes.
It would take just ten minutes for Sweden to score, as Kulusevski scored his fourth international goal, with a left footed effort from around eight yards out. The Spurs man would add an assist just 15 or so minutes later, teeing up Gyokeres to score from a very similar position, giving their side a two goal lead.
Before half-time, Gyokeres would add a third, and Sweden were completing their final game in league C in absolute style. There was still time for an Isak goal to be ridiculously disallowed - as they would go into the interval with a 3-0 lead.
Despite the comfortable lead, Sweden would make zero changes at the break. Three minutes after half time, Isak saw his penalty saved, which would have made it 4-0. Nine minutes later, Kulusevski would make it four, scoring from a tight angle in off the far post to bag his fifth international goal.
Only a minute later, Gyokeres had his hat-trick, as Sweden made it 5-0, in a scintillating attacking performance. Mid way through the second half, Bergvall was introduced to the action. Just four minutes after he came on, Gyokeres had his fourth of the night to make it six of the best for Sweden, and that is how it would finish up.
An incredible performance from Sweden, and an incredible performance from Kulusevski. The Spurs number 21 recorded; four shots on target, 4/4 successful dribble attempts, 113 touches of the ball, eight chances created, two big chances created, four fouls drawn, a tackle, and of course two goals and an assist.
Considering San Marino are now in league C, it would have been absolutely criminal if Sweden, with some of the players they have, did not get promoted. For the next iteration of the nations league in 2026, they will be playing in league B.
The international break is now over for Kulusevski and Bergvall, who will return to Hotspur Way in preparation for the game against Manchester City on Saturday evening.