Greece snatch dramatic draw against Sweden in Stockholm friendly

The national team of Greece drew 2–2 with Sweden in a friendly match held in Stockholm.

Greece took the lead through Kostas Tsimikas in the 10th minute, while for Sweden—set to participate in the 2026 World Cup—goals were scored by Viktor Gyökeres (54’) and Nilsson (69’). Giorgos Masouras equalised in the last play of the match (90+5’), CE Report quotes ANA-MPA.

For one half, Ivan Jovanović’s team displayed talent and youthful energy, creating numerous chances and hitting the woodwork twice. Tsimikas opened the scoring in the 10th minute after an assist from Christos Tzolis, with a powerful right-footed shot from the edge of the box. Greece was highly dangerous in attack, also hitting the post through a strike by Dimitris Kourbelis in the 19th minute and a superb finish by Vangelis Pavlidis in the 47th.

However, the second half belonged to the hosts. In their final “dress rehearsal” before heading to the World Cup in America, Sweden showed strong form and created several chances. They equalised in the 54th minute with Gyökeres’ free-kick, which deflected off Pavlidis and wrong-footed goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.

In the 69th minute, a strong run by Ali down the left disrupted the Greek defence, and Nilsson finished from close range to make it 2–1. Numerous substitutions from both sides broke the rhythm of the game, which remained without clear chances until the very last seconds.

In the 95th minute, Konstantinos Kostoulas delivered a cross from the left, and Masouras got in front of Starfelt to score with a sliding finish, securing a dramatic 2–2 draw just before the final whistle.

Referee: Andrew Jones (Wales)
Yellow cards: Retsos, Koulierakis

Sweden (Graham Potter): Nordfeldt, Bernhardsson (64’ Ali), Lagerbielke (64’ Smith), Hien (64’ Starfelt), Svensson (80’ Ekdal), Gudmundsson (64’ Stroud), Svanberg (64’ Karlström), Ayari (64’ Zeneli), Nygren (64’ Nilsson), Gyökeres (64’ Elanga), Isak (63’ Bergvall)

Greece (Ivan Jovanović): Tzolakis (80’ Mandas), Mavropanos (81’ Doi), Koulierakis (81’ Androutsos), Retsos (62’ Hatzidiakos), Rota (62’ Vagiannidis), Zafeiris (81’ Moutzakitis), Kourbelis (63’ Triantis), Tsimikas (62’ Kyriakopoulos), Tzolis (81’ Masouras), Tetteh (62’ Kostoulas), Pavlidis (62’ Douvikas)

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