An elite striking partnership getting minutes together; a recovery from an early setback; a potential breakout star playing a big role in the goal to go in front; and a victory - Sweden had all the ingredients for a positive World Cup send-off in front of their home fans.
Only for it to be ruined in the 95th minute when Georgios Masouras turned in Charalampos Kostoulas' cross to earn Greece a 2-2 draw, and suddenly the mood around Potter's team had turned sour.
His is a team which has conceded five times in its two warm-up matches and 13 times in Potter's six matches in charge so far, keeping no clean sheets. Defensive solidity has been an issue since before the Englishman took charge - a 2-0 friendly win over Hungary a year ago tomorrow (6th June) is the last time Sweden went 90 minutes without conceding.
"We have to get better there, it's too cheap," Potter said of his defence. "We can talk tactics all day, but if you give the ball away the way we did today, the opponents get dangerous chances."
The back line was missing captain Victor Lindelof, who is expected to come straight back in for the side's opening game of the World Cup against Tunisia on 15th June. The Aston Villa man's place may be safe, but Potter suggested there are still ways to break into his team ahead of the tournament.
"I have a lot of positions in mind, but there is still time and space. We have over a week of training until the opener. It is a balance between having an environment where there is competition and, at the same time, needing stability."
Ali answers the critics
There were question marks over the inclusion of Taha Ali in the 26-man squad at the expense of the likes of LaLiga duo Williot Swedberg and Roony Bardghji - the Malmo winger's only cap prior came in a January 2024 friendly against Estonia, and he was unused on his recall to the squad for the play-offs.
But within minutes of coming off the bench, Ali answered many of those questions with a mazy, pacy dribble down the left wing before cutting the ball across for Gustaf Nilsson to tap in and put Sweden 2-1 ahead, after a free-kick from birthday boy Viktor Gyokeres had cancelled out Kostas Tsimikas' opener.
"I was in shock, not because of what he did, because we've seen that before and we've seen that in training. But it was very impressive to see such a performance," said Alexander Isak, who was one of nine players to come off just after the hour mark. "It's like he's been with us for years. We were very excited on the bench," he continued.
"Incredible substitute appearance! He adds something that few other players do," added the head coach, who wouldn't be drawn into whether the 27-year-old had done enough to start against Tunisia.
As for Ali - who spoke exclusively to Flashscore about his World Cup ambitions back in April - last night was all about showing Potter that he can be relied on.
"I wanted to create trust in the coach so that he knows what he's getting from me. It's clear what kind of player I am. I just want to do my thing," said the Allsvenskan player.
Elanga given all-clear after hospital visit
In a physical encounter with the former European champions, Gyokeres, Benjamin Nygren and Anthony Elanga all suffered knocks, but thankfully, there are no real injury concerns for Blagult before they board the plane.
Elanga was taken to hospital as a precaution, but the scans revealed no damage. "It was knee-to-knee with one of their players. But I'm not worried. I've been tested and it feels good. Of course you get worried, but it feels good," he told the media.
For Nygren, there was a more rudimentary check: "I can walk, move and stand on one leg and all that. It feels okay," he said.
