Sweden Thrash Tunisia 5-1 in Emphatic World Cup Return

Sweden have made a powerful statement on their return to the FIFA World Cup, dismantling Tunisia 5-1 in their Group F opener at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.

Yasin Ayari stole the headlines with two spectacular long-range goals, while Premier League stars Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres combined brilliantly, contributing a goal and two assists each. Mattias Svanberg added a fourth goal shortly after coming off the bench.

Tunisia’s only reply came through Omar Rekik’s header just before half-time.Ayari opened the scoring in the 7th minute after Tunisia goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh mishandled a clearance under pressure from Isak. The Brighton midfielder pounced and rifled the ball into the top corner. Isak made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark with a clinical finish from Gyökeres’ pass.

Tunisia pulled one back in the 43rd minute through Rekik, but Sweden quickly regained control after the break. Gyökeres scored in the 59th minute after Isak won the ball high up the pitch, Svanberg added a fourth in the 84th minute (confirmed by VAR), and Ayari capped the rout with another long-range strike in stoppage time.

Manager Graham Potter deployed a fluid 3-4-1-2 system that played to the strengths of Isak and Gyökeres, whose chemistry proved devastating on transitions. Isak was named Man of the Match for his all-round display. The Swedish defence, anchored by Victor Lindelöf and Isak Hien, limited Tunisia to very few clear chances despite the concession.

The result puts Sweden top of Group F with a significant goal difference advantage after the Netherlands and Japan drew 2-2 in the group’s first match. It marks Sweden’s biggest World Cup win since 1938 and signals a confident return after missing the 2022 tournament. Tunisia, appearing in their seventh World Cup without ever advancing past the group stage, struggled to contain Sweden’s intensity.