Gyökeres not entirely satisfied after firing Sweden to Nations League promotion

Viktor Gyökeres thinks Sweden still have plenty to learn after he scored twice from the penalty spot to help beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-2 on Saturday and earn promotion in the Nations League.

Graham Potter's side went ahead after five minutes in Solna when Anthony Elanga's cross was headed in by Daniel Svensson, who scored his first international goal.

Gyökeres doubled the lead from the spot after he was pulled back by Stjepan Radeljić, and scored again from 12 yards in first-half stoppage time after Sead Kolašinac fouled Svensson.

Sweden were almost hit by a Bosnian comeback after the break, with Swedish-born midfielder Armin Gigović heading home, and Kolašinac heading in from Kerim Alajbegović's corner.

Sweden held on to secure top spot in Group B4 and earn promotion to League A, but Gyökeres felt they were almost punished for slacking off in the second half.

Gyökeres, who has scored in a record eight straight Nations League games, said in quotes reported by the Sweden Herald: "The first half was more fun to play. We scored three and almost got a fourth, and that was positive. Then in the second half it was the exact opposite.

"It's really just a mental issue, since we don't change anything tactically and go out with the same eleven.

"Unconsciously, we don't get up to the same pace as they do, and we relax a bit and think it will be easy. Then it gets tough, and they made it tough for us in the second half."

Gyökeres had set up an Alexander Isak goal that was ruled out for offside in the first half, and the Arsenal striker also said the Liverpool forward had wanted to take the second penalty.

He added: "Yes, he was [wanting to take it]. But I was also keen and felt I wanted to take it this time.

"But we usually split the penalties. We have done that in the past and will do so in the future too."

Potter conceded his side had to "survive" when the momentum shifted in the second half.

Potter said after the match: "We are happy to have won. The first half was very good, the 3-0 lead was well deserved.

"But then we start the second half too calmly and get punished. The momentum and the atmosphere changed there and then football becomes emotional.

"After their two goals we needed to survive, and we did."