Sweden announced its return to the FIFA World Cup stage in emphatic fashion as Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari struck twice, powering a ruthless 5-1 demolition of Tunisia in their Group F opener on Sunday.
The victory marks only the second time in the nation’s World Cup history—and the first in 88 years—that Sweden has scored five or more goals in a single match, matching an achievement last seen during their legendary 8-0 quarter-final demolition of Cuba on June 12, 1938. For Tunisia, the defeat carried its own dubious distinction: conceding five goals in two consecutive matches for the first time in the nation’s history, following last week’s 5-0 friendly drubbing by Belgium.
From the opening whistle, Sweden seized control. Just seven minutes into the contest, Tunisia failed to clear a ball over the top, and Ayari—whose father was born in Tunis—unleashed a thunderous right-footed strike from outside the box that flew past goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh. The 23-year-old midfielder’s celebration was notably muted: he simply raised his hands in a respectful gesture toward the Tunisian fans, acknowledging the land of his father’s birth.
Sweden doubled their advantage in the 30th minute through a devastating counterattack. Arsenal forward Viktor Gyökeres released Alexander Isak on the left flank; the Liverpool striker, who endured an injury-wrecked first season at Anfield following a broken leg, cut inside and drilled a low finish into the far corner for his 18th international goal.
Tunisia briefly offered a glimmer of hope just before the interval. In the 43rd minute, Hannibal Mejbri’s teasing cross found defender Omar Rekik, who rose to head home and reduce the deficit to 2-1. Any thoughts of a second‑half revival, however, were swiftly extinguished.
In the 59th minute, Isak turned provider, dispossessing dawdling Tunisian captain Ellyes Skhiri on the edge of his own box. The Liverpool forward fed Gyökeres, who calmly slotted one-on‑one past Chamakh for his 16th goal in his last 15 appearances for Sweden—and 21st overall.
Substitute Mattias Svanberg made an immediate impact just 18 seconds after stepping onto the pitch in the 84th minute, converting a goal initially flagged offside before a lengthy VAR review confirmed the strike—the second‑fastest goal by a substitute in World Cup history, trailing only Richard Morales’ 16‑second effort for Uruguay against Senegal in 2002.
Deep into second‑half stoppage time, Ayari completed his brace with another stunning long‑range effort, once again refusing to celebrate out of respect for his father’s homeland.
Isak finished with one goal and two assists, while Gyökeres contributed a goal and an assist, underlining Sweden’s devastating attacking depth.
Sweden manager Graham Potter, whose side missed the 2022 tournament entirely after reaching the quarter‑finals in Russia in 2018, praised his team’s resilience. “Fantastic. Great goals, five goals, solid and we could have scored more,” he told ITV. “It [their goal] came from not that much really. It can happen in football. The boys remained calm and maintained a goal threat, which was important for us”.
For Tunisia, the defeat leaves mounting pressure on head coach Sabri Lamouchi. The North African side entered the tournament having not conceded a single goal in qualifying—a feat matched only by Ivory Coast and England—but have now shipped ten goals in their past two matches while scoring just once.
The loss also marked only the second time Tunisia have conceded five goals in a World Cup match, following their 5‑2 defeat to Belgium at Russia 2018, and the Eagles of Carthage became just the second African nation to lose by a four‑goal margin at a World Cup since 2000—following Cameroon’s 4‑0 defeat to Croatia in 2014.
With the Netherlands and Japan playing out a 2‑2 draw earlier on Sunday in Arlington, Texas, Sweden now sit atop Group F on three points with a commanding +4 goal difference. Sweden will next face the Netherlands in Houston on Saturday, while Tunisia remain in Monterrey to face Japan the same day, already facing an uphill battle to keep their knockout‑stage hopes alive.
Wilcox reported from Monterrey. Additional reporting by The Associated Press.
