Swedish football stars dominate Tunisia during clinical World Cup opener
Sweden initiated their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with a commanding 5-1 victory against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico. This stellar performance marks five consecutive unbeaten opening games for the Scandinavian team in football's biggest tournament.
Manager Graham Potter tactical setup paid immediate dividends in Guadalupe. Tunisia goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh misjudged a long pass from Victor Lindelof in the 18th minute, allowing Viktor Gyokeres to press. The rebound fell perfectly for Yasin Ayari, who scored from long distance. Alexander Isak extended the lead to 2-0 on the half-hour mark, finishing a quick counterattack initiated by Gyokeres.
Tunisia offered a brief response before halftime. Omar Rekik escaped his marker to convert a precise pass from Hannibal Mejbri, bringing hope to the African side. This group stage battle echoes historical struggles for Tunisia, who have historically found it difficult to advance past the initial round in global tournaments.
Swedish attackers completely took over the second half. Captain Ellyes Skhiri made a defensive mistake that allowed Isak to set up Gyokeres for a powerful close-range strike. This marked the striker's 15th goal in 16 international games. Mattias Svanberg scored the fourth goal with a calm finish before Ayari secured his brace with a spectacular long-range shot. Sweden now prepares to face the Netherlands, while Tunisia faces Japan under immense pressure.
