Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres scored as Graham Potter's Sweden opened their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 2-1 win over Romania at Strawberry Arena in front of 31,882 fans.
Match facts
- Result: Sweden 2-1 Romania (HT 2-1)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League 2026/27 — League B Group 4
- Venue: Strawberry Arena (attendance 31,882)
- Scorers: Isak 20' (assist Ayari); Man 29' (assist Rațiu); Gyökeres 43'
- Red cards: None
- Next: Sweden vs Poland (Mon 28 Sep 2026)
How the match unfolded
Potter named Isak and Gyökeres together from the start against Gheorghe Hagi's Romania, with Ianis Hagi captaining the visitors. Sweden went ahead in the 20th minute. Yasin Ayari played Isak in behind the defence and the Liverpool striker finished expertly beyond Ionuț Radu.
Romania levelled nine minutes later. Andrei Rațiu provided the assist and Dennis Man scored to make it 1-1. Sweden restored the lead just before half-time. Gyökeres was alert to a poor piece of goalkeeping from Radu, took a touch and finished from close range in the 43rd minute. Virgil Ghiță was booked in first-half stoppage time as Romania ended the half trailing 2-1.
The second half was about control. Sweden finished with 11 shots to Romania's 10 and four on target to one on BBC statistics, reflecting a managed lead. Lucas Bergvall and Ayari helped limit clear openings. Hagi turned to Florin Tănase, Valentin Mihăilă and later Nicolae Stanciu. Man was booked late and withdrawn. Potter introduced Benjamin Nygren, Patrik Wålemark, Hjalmar Ekdal and Daniel Svensson to close space. Romania committed 17 fouls to Sweden's six and collected five yellow cards; Sweden received none. Seven minutes of added time were signalled, but Romania could not force an equaliser and Viktor Johansson was not seriously tested after the break.
Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina drew 0-0 in Warsaw on the same Group 4 night, so Sweden sit alone at the top. Across Nations League Friday, Northern Ireland also started League B with an away win in Group 2.
What it means
Sweden lead League B Group 4 with three points. Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina have one each; Romania have none. Sweden host Poland on Monday night in a fixture that already looks pivotal after Romania's opening defeat.
Reaction and outlook
Potter has an opening win built on his two Premier League strikers. Isak's movement for the first goal and Gyökeres's opportunism for the second set a clear template. Romania must tighten goalkeeping errors and discipline before hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Sweden prepare for Poland at Strawberry Arena with momentum and an attacking pairing that already has three goals between them on matchday one. A home win on Monday would put Potter's side firmly in control of League B Group 4 before the October window.