The Tottenham star has had a knee injury for a long time, but has not given up hope of being fit in time for the World Cup opener against Tunisia in mid-June.
"There are two or three months left and I haven't played in a year. I know what the chances are. But if there is a person on this planet who can do it, I would bet on myself," he tells Viaplay after the 3-2 thriller against Poland.
From the stands, he watched Lucas Bergvall, his 20-year-old clubmate, make a breakthrough as Sweden secured a place in the World Cup. Bergvall has also recently been on the long blue-and-yellow injury list, but defied a prognosis that said his injured foot would not be fit to play until April.
“Goosebumps”
Bergvall had an eventful and emotional debut on the national stage, to say the least. The midfielder hadn't been on the pitch for many minutes before he had both drawn a yellow card ("a little over-excitement") and been struck in the groin by a hard shot ("don't remind me").
He saved the best for last.
Bergvall fired the first shot, which was saved by Kamil Grabara, before Viktor Gyökeres was finally able to score the decisive 3–2 goal.
"It gave me goosebumps," says Bergvall.
"It's been a dream since I was a kid to qualify for a World Cup. And to do it on home soil in front of a packed stadium. You can't dream of anything better."
“Absolutely magical”
Bergvall's sharp attack was praised afterwards by his midfield colleague Jesper Karlström, who came off in the same double substitution.
"He was absolutely magical. I just thought, 'Give him the ball,' when he came on. From his first touch I felt, 'He's going to do something.' An incredible effort from him," says Karlström.
Facts: The Swedes who were missing against Poland
+ Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham.
Hasn't played in over a year due to a serious knee injury.
+ Alexander Isak, Liverpool.
Had surgery on a fractured fibula just before Christmas. Expected to be back in action soon.
+ Viktor Johansson, Stoke.
Shoulder injury and hasn't played since the turn of the year.
+ Jacob Widell Zetterström, Derby.
Has been unavailable due to illness since January.
+ Emil Holm, Juventus.
Hasn't played since February.
+ Isaac Hien, Atalanta.
Left injured in the match against Ukraine last week.
+ Herman Johansson, Dallas.
Played against Ukraine, but did not have time to recover to play against Poland.
