Sweden opened their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in dominant fashion, sweeping aside Tunisia with a commanding performance in a Group F clash at Monterrey Stadium on Monday. Yasin Ayari, Alexander Isak, and Viktor Gyökeres all played key roles as Sweden produced a statement win.
Ayari set the tone early with a superb strike from outside the box before Isak doubled the lead after a clever combination with Gyökeres. Tunisia, however, briefly fought back when Omar Rekik headed home from Hannibal Mejbri’s delivery to reduce the deficit before half-time.
The second half belonged completely to Sweden. Isak capitalised on a defensive error to set up Gyökeres for the third goal, before substitute Mattias Svanberg added a fourth shortly after coming on, further extending their control of the match.
Ayari then capped off a standout individual display with his second goal of the night, sealing a comprehensive win as Sweden underlined their attacking strength in one of the tournament’s most high-scoring matchdays.
Sweden took the lead in Guadalupe in the seventh minute courtesy of Brighton midfielder Ayari’s thunderbolt from outside the box, following a mix-up at the back. They doubled their lead on half an hour after a rapid break freed Isak on the left, AFC reports.
The Liverpool forward raced forward and cut inside before unleashing a shot, which goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh failed to keep out, even though he got a hand to the ball.
Sweden threatened to overwhelm their opponents, but the match changed complexion minutes before half-time when Rekik headed home Hannibal Mejbri’s teasing cross. However, the Scandinavian nation restored their two-goal cushion in the 59th minute after another defensive calamity for Tunisia.
Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri was caught in possession on the edge of the box by Isak, who fed Gyokeres and the Arsenal man fired home. Substitute Svanberg made it 4-1 late on after VAR ruled he was onside. And there was still time for another stunning goal from Ayari from outside the penalty box.
(With agency inputs)