Sweden smash Tunisia in World cup opener
Sweden crushed Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey, Mexico, with Yasin Ayari scoring twice and Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, and Mattias Svanberg also on target. The emphatic win puts Sweden top of Group F in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Sweden wasted no time asserting dominance. Yasin Ayari opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a spectacular long-range strike, a goal made even more poignant given his Tunisian heritage. Alexander Isak doubled the lead in the 30th minute, finishing clinically after a clever assist from Gyökeres. Tunisia briefly fought back when Omar Rekik headed home in the 43rd minute, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and giving the North Africans hope going into halftime.
Sweden’s attacking duo continued to shine after the break. In the 59th minute, Gyökeres restored Sweden’s two-goal cushion, capitalizing on Isak’s pressing and precise pass. Tunisia’s defense looked increasingly overwhelmed, unable to cope with Sweden’s pace and movement.
Substitute Mattias Svanberg scored in the 84th minute, his strike awarded after a VAR review confirmed he was onside. Deep into stoppage time, Ayari completed his brace with another stunning effort from outside the box, sealing a comprehensive 5-1 victory.
- Yasin Ayari: Two long-range goals, man of the match performance.
- Alexander Isak: A goal and an assist, showing sharp finishing.
- Viktor Gyökeres: One goal and one assist, combining superbly with Isak.
- Mattias Svanberg: Impact substitute, scoring within minutes of coming on.
- Omar Rekik: Tunisia’s lone scorer, briefly giving his side hope.
With this victory, Sweden top Group F with three points, ahead of the Netherlands and Japan who drew 2-2 earlier. Tunisia, bottom of the group, face a tough path to qualification. Sweden next face the Netherlands in Houston, while Tunisia remain in Monterrey to play Japan.
