In a costly moment during a crucial World Cup qualifier, Sweden midfielder Lucas Bergvall missed a open goal for Sweden, but the 19-year-old has promised he will deliver better performances in the future.
Bergvall Vows to Bounce Back After Agonizing Miss for Sweden
The incident occurred during Sweden’s 2-0 home defeat to Switzerland on Friday, October 10th.
With the score level at 0-0 in the first half, Liverpool forward Alexander Isak broke free and unselfishly passed the ball to an unmarked Bergvall near the six-yard box.
All that was required was a simple tap-in, but the teenager got the ball caught under his feet, lost his balance, and allowed a defender to clear the ball.
Following the match, Bergvall openly shouldered the blame for the missed opportunity. He admitted to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that he simply misjudged the ball.
“Of course, I’m going to score there. I don’t know what else to say. Sometimes it bounces right, sometimes wrong,” Bergvall stated.
When asked if it was the worst miss of his career, he responded, “Yes, probably,” calling it an “absolute disappointment”.
He added a note of determination, saying, “I don’t think they (the fans) need to say too much about it, I know I’ll do better”.
Despite the frustration of the miss, several of Bergvall’s international teammates immediately offered their public support.
Liverpool star Alexander Isak defended the young midfielder, highlighting his all-around qualities and his strong form with Tottenham.
Experienced winger Ken Sema acknowledged the miss was unfortunate but expressed confidence in Bergvall’s talent and capacity to learn from the experience.
The defeat leaves Sweden’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in serious jeopardy, as the team sits bottom of Group B with just one point from three matches.
The Swedish squad must now regroup quickly for their next qualifying match against Kosovo on Monday, October 13th.
