Sweden began their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion on Sunday, thrashing Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey to move top of Group F.
Alexander Isak marked his World Cup debut with a goal and two assists as Graham Potter’s side produced an impressive attacking display to secure all three points.
Sweden took the lead in the seventh minute through Yasin Ayari, who fired into the top corner after Tunisia failed to deal with a defensive situation. The Brighton midfielder, whose father is Tunisian, chose not to celebrate after becoming Sweden’s youngest World Cup goalscorer since Tomas Brolin in 1990.
The advantage doubled on the half-hour mark when Liverpool forward Alexander Isak finished confidently after combining with Viktor Gyokeres. The Arsenal striker held off his marker before releasing Isak, who drove forward and slotted into the bottom corner.
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Tunisia pulled one back two minutes before half-time as defender Omar Rekik headed home from Hannibal Mejbri’s free-kick to reduce the deficit before the break.
Any hopes of a comeback were short-lived after Sweden regained control in the second half.
Isak turned provider on the hour mark, setting up Gyokeres for Sweden’s third goal before creating another moments later for substitute Mattias Svanberg, who found the net just 12 seconds after coming on to register the fastest goal ever scored by a substitute in World Cup history.
Ayari completed the scoring with his second goal of the afternoon, striking from distance to seal Sweden’s 5-1 victory and complete a memorable opening performance.
The result gives Sweden an early advantage in Group F ahead of a key clash with the Netherlands on June 20. Tunisia, meanwhile, will look to recover when they face Japan on June 21 after suffering a difficult start to their campaign.
