Sweden 5-1 Tunisia World Cup 2026: Ayari Brace, Gyokeres and Isak Send Sweden to Top of Group F

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Match Report — Sweden 5-1 Tunisia

Sweden were ruthless from the opening minutes. Yasin Ayari opened the scoring in the 7th minute with the kind of strike that leaves the goalkeeper with nothing to do — picking his spot with three defenders on the line, keeper stranded, ball in the corner. Tunisia, who had conceded zero goals in qualifying, looked immediately uncomfortable.

The second goal was a classic Isak masterclass. Alexander Isak — putting behind his injury-plagued first season with Liverpool — received the ball on the left from a Sweden counter-attack, cut inside and found the far corner past goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh, who misjudged his dive. Before half time Sweden were already 2-0 up and effectively through to the next round on current form.

The second half became a showcase. Viktor Gyokeres — Arsenal's striker who arrived at this tournament as one of the most lethal finishers in Europe — added the third after Isak seized on a Tunisia defensive mishap and played him in. Then came the moment of the game: substitute Svanberg, on the pitch for less than 20 seconds, won the ball back through a press, found Ayari in space, and Ayari blasted home from the edge of the box. 16 seconds. The bench erupted. Then Ayari got his second — rifling a venomous shot into the far corner to complete a 5-1 demolition that was emphatic in every possible way.

The Ayari Story — Tunisian Mother, Swedish Heart

The subplot of this match was impossible to miss. Yasin Ayari has a Tunisian mother. He was eligible to play for Tunisia and was reportedly approached about representing them. He chose Sweden — the country where he was born and raised, where he developed through the football pyramid to Brighton and the Premier League. Tonight he scored twice against Tunisia. The applause he received from the Swedish supporters was generous; the Swedish coaching staff visibly aware of the complexity of the evening for their midfielder.

Ayari handled it with composure. He did not celebrate his goals with particular exuberance — a nod, a pump of the fist, then back to work. His performance was one of the best individual World Cup debuts of the entire tournament so far.

Isak's Redemption — Liverpool's Lost Season Forgotten

Alexander Isak's first season with Liverpool was a disaster. Signed from Newcastle for a British record fee, he spent large portions of the campaign injured and, when fit, lacking the sharpness that had made him one of the most feared strikers in Europe at Newcastle. Swedish supporters arrived in Monterrey with genuine questions about whether their best player would show up.

He showed up. His goal — the cut inside, the precise far-post finish — was vintage Isak. His role in setting up Gyokeres was equally impressive. The 27-year-old looked sharp, motivated and free. Sometimes a World Cup, away from the pressure of club football, is exactly what a player needs to rediscover himself. Isak found himself tonight in Mexico.

Group F Standings After Matchday 1

Goals Summary