Sweden started their World Cup campaign strong, beating Tunisia 5-1. This win puts them at the top of Group F in Monterrey. The match was held in Guadalupe, Mexico, marking the city's first game of the tournament.
Graham Potter's team scored early, with Yasin Ayari netting a goal in the seventh minute. Ayari, who has Moroccan and Tunisian roots, kept his celebration quiet despite the impressive shot from outside the box.
Sweden Dominates Early
Sweden quickly extended their lead to two goals. About 30 minutes in, Alexander Isak broke away on the left. The Liverpool forward cut inside and shot, and even though goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh touched the ball, he couldn't stop it.
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Start Your News DetoxTunisia had a strong defensive record coming into the tournament. They were the first team to not concede a single goal in qualifying, a feat later matched by Ivory Coast and England.
However, Sweden's attack proved too much. Just before halftime, Tunisia found a brief moment of hope when Omar Rekik headed in a cross from Hannibal Mejbri, making the score 2-1.
Second Half Surge
Sweden quickly regained their two-goal lead in the 59th minute. Another defensive error from Tunisia allowed Isak to steal the ball from midfielder Ellyes Skhiri. Isak then passed to Viktor Gyokeres, who scored.
Substitute Mattias Svanberg added a fourth goal for Sweden. VAR confirmed he was onside. Ayari then scored his second goal of the match, another impressive shot from outside the penalty box, bringing the final score to 5-1.
Sweden reached the quarterfinals in the 2018 World Cup but did not qualify for the 2022 tournament. Tunisia made history in 1978 as the first African team to win a World Cup match. However, they have never advanced past the group stages.
