Antonio Valencia believes Sweden have two potential contenders to win the World Cup Golden Boot after they began their campaign with a crushing 5-1 win over Tunisia.
Graham Potter’s side only qualified for the tournament via the play-offs, but underlined their status as potential dark horses with a crushing victory in their Group F opener.
The goals of Viktor Gyokeres carried Sweden to the finals, but the return to full fitness of Liverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak provided the former Chelsea and West Ham boss with something of a dilemma.
Indeed, Potter suggested he might opt against starting both players together in his pre-match press conference but ultimately decided to pair the prolific forwards against Tunisia.
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That decision was vindicated handsomely with both Premier League stars getting themselves on the scoresheet with Gyokeres assisting Isak, before the latter return the favour in the second half.
Sweden face Netherlands and Japan in their next two fixtures and although that looks like a difficult route to the knockout rounds, Valencia believes Gyokeres, in particular, could have a real say in who ends up as the competition’s top goalscorer.
‘I can see Viktor Gyokeres fighting for the Golden Boot,’ the ex-Manchester United skipper told Hajper.
‘He has had a good season and a good Champions League, but we know there are also other interesting players who have done things well.
‘I think it will be very difficult this year. The World Cup will also be like a battle to see who wins it.
‘It is very even. I hope these players continue at that level, because as fans we really enjoy watching them.
‘Who will perform better at the World Cup – Viktor Gyökeres or Alexander Isak? I think you will see stronger strikers, strikers who are not going to make so many runs in behind because of the heat and the pitches. It will be complicated.
‘I think strikers will want to play more with their backs to goal and have more of the ball. Because it is going to be very hot, I do not think a striker will make 20 runs in behind the defence in one match.
‘They will have to control their movement more, hold the ball up more and be very intelligent in this tournament. So it could suit Gyokeres more.’
If Gyokeres is to end the World Cup with the Golden Boot, he’ll have to overhaul his Arsenal teammate Kai Havertz who helped Germany get off to an even better start following a 7-1 win over minnows Curacao.
Havertz opened his account with a well-taken penalty on the stroke of half-time and rounded off the scoring with a beautiful dinked finish to underline his growing confidence having finished the domestic season in excellent fashion.
‘It took us a few minutes to get back into the game after they equalised,’ said Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann. ‘Curacao can play football too, as we saw, and I’m curious to see how they’ll fare in the group going forward.
‘I’m very satisfied with us scoring seven goals and our performance for the most part. A winning start is always important and we’re glad we managed it.’