The Swede was last of the twelve in the final for a long time and looked to have basically no chance going into the final lap.
But with just over 200 metres left to run, he found another gear that everyone except winner Stefan Nillessen from the Netherlands was lacking.
The 25-year-old from Gothenburg took the lead, fought his way through the pack and crossed the finish line in 3:36.16 - eight hundredths of a second ahead of third-place Andrew Coscoran from Ireland. Nillessen won in 3:35.70.
“Is a gamble”
Pihlström says his tactic on the last lap, after a few previous failed attempts to catch up, was to keep his cool and let the others fight.
Of course I'm a little worried that the train has left, but I feel very strong, he says.
It's a gamble. It's a bad position. But because I'm saving so much energy, I'm coming in so strong for the last 50 metres. It shouldn't be possible, really.
After the finish line, he was met by a jubilant Andreas Almgren, the roommate who had just come home with a gold medal in superior style in the 10,000 metres.
It gave me a lot of energy when I saw Almgren crush everyone else, says Pihlström.
“A little taken”
Almgren said in SVT's broadcast that Pihlström's comeback almost made him happier than when he himself ran to the finish line.
Pihlström says it will take a few days to understand what he has achieved.
I'm a little taken.
But already on Sunday evening he will receive concrete evidence of his achievement around his neck, at the medal ceremony.
But first, a little administration is required: Pihlström had booked a flight home already that morning.
"I'll make sure to rebook it," he says, laughing.
