The Short Version
As of 14 June, Sweden opened their World Cup with a 5-1 demolition of Tunisia in Group F at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. Yasin Ayari scored twice, with Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and substitute Mattias Svanberg also on target. Omar Rekik replied for Tunisia. The win lifts Sweden top of the group, above the Netherlands and Japan, who drew earlier.
Sweden settle the doubts early
For a side that reached this World Cup the hard way — bottom of their UEFA qualifying group, then through a Nations League play-off route under Graham Potter — Sweden played with the conviction of a team that had never doubted itself. Yasin Ayari struck first from outside the box inside seven minutes, and by the half-hour Alexander Isak had finished a move Viktor Gyökeres started to make it 2-0, as ESPN’s live coverage tracked.
Tunisia, unbeaten and unbreached through CAF qualifying, found their goalkeeper exposed by Sweden’s calm passing through a packed defensive block. The pre-tournament warning signs — heavy friendly defeats to Austria and Belgium — proved accurate.
Gyökeres, Svanberg and a rout completed
The second half was a procession. Gyökeres punished a Tunisia mistake to make it 3-1, and substitute Mattias Svanberg scored seconds after coming on, his strike awarded by VAR after an offside flag. Ayari then completed his brace with a long-range finish to seal 5-1, per Yahoo’s match tracker. Omar Rekik’s goal was Tunisia’s lone consolation.
What it means
The forward line did exactly what Sweden built this campaign around: Isak and Gyökeres combined, created and finished, and the supporting cast piled on. Three points and a healthy goal difference put Sweden top of Group F, as FIFA’s table confirms. With the Netherlands and Japan having taken a point each from their 2-2 draw, Sweden have seized the early initiative in what looked, on paper, a demanding group. Tunisia, still chasing a first World Cup knockout appearance in eight attempts, must regroup quickly.
Frequently asked questions
How did Sweden vs Tunisia end? Sweden beat Tunisia 5-1 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on 14 June in their Group F opener.
Who scored for Sweden? Yasin Ayari scored twice, with Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and substitute Mattias Svanberg also finding the net.
Did Tunisia score? Yes. Omar Rekik scored Tunisia’s only goal in the 5-1 defeat.
How did Sweden qualify for the World Cup? Sweden finished bottom of their UEFA qualifying group but reached the tournament through a Nations League play-off route, beating Ukraine and Poland.
Who is Sweden’s head coach? Graham Potter, who built the campaign around the strike pairing of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres.
What was notable about Svanberg’s goal? Mattias Svanberg scored almost immediately after coming off the bench, with the goal awarded following a VAR review of an offside flag.
Where do Sweden stand in Group F? Sweden lead Group F on three points, above the Netherlands and Japan, who drew 2-2, and Tunisia, who have none.
What are the key statistics? Sweden dominated possession and chances throughout, controlling the game from the opening minutes and never allowing Tunisia back into the contest.
About the author: James O’Connor is investigative football correspondent at Touchline Global, the London-based independent football journalism outlet founded in 2012 and specializing in FIFA governance, commercial reporting, and football’s political economy. O’Connor has covered every FIFA World Cup since Brazil 2014. Contact: james.oconnor@touchline.global · LinkedIn: /in/james-oconnor-touchline · X: @JamesOConnorTG
