Isak and Gyokeres excel as Sweden dominates Tunisia in a 5-1 in World Cup Opener
Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres lead Sweden to a commanding 5-1 win against Tunisia in the opening match in Monterrey.
Sweden began their World Cup journey with a commanding 5-1 victory against Tunisia in Monterrey, featuring standout performances from Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres in a decisive Group F win.
Isak celebrated his inaugural World Cup appearance by scoring a signature goal after 30 minutes. The Liverpool forward, having faced injuries since his £125m transfer to Anfield in September, struck a powerful shot into the bottom corner after making a strong run in from the left.
The goal resulted from outstanding effort by strike partner Gyokeres. The Arsenal forward skillfully evaded his defender near the halfway line before sending Isak into open space.
Sweden seized the advantage in the seventh minute as Yasin Ayari capitalized on inadequate Tunisian defending, delivering a magnificent shot into the top corner.
The 22-year-old Brighton midfielder, who made his senior Sweden debut while on loan at Coventry City in 2023, has become Sweden’s youngest World Cup scorer since Tomas Brolin in 1990. Ayari refrained from celebrating, as his first international goal was scored against the country of his father’s birth.
Tunisia scored a goal just two minutes before the half-time whistle, with defender Omar Rekik finding the net from a free-kick taken by Hannibal Mejbri.
However, Sweden reestablished control after the break. Isak became the creator at the hour mark, assisting Gyokeres to regain the two-goal advantage.
The Liverpool forward delivered another assist 24 minutes later, with substitute Mattias Svanberg scoring just 12 seconds after entering the game, marking the fastest goal by a substitute in World Cup history.
Ayari finished the rout with his second long-range effort of the match, netting Sweden’s fifth goal to conclude a dominant performance and propel Graham Potter’s side to the top of Group F.
