Sweden made an emphatic start to their 2026 World Cup campaign, thrashing Tunisia 5-1 in their Group F opener at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, with Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres combining to devastating effect.
Two superb long-range strikes from Yasin Ayari sandwiched goals from Isak, Gyökeres and Mattias Svanberg in a performance that sent a clear message to the rest of the group.
Ayari struck first in the seventh minute before Isak doubled the lead on the half-hour mark, finishing off a pass from Gyökeres.
Omar Rekik halved the deficit for Tunisia just before the break with a header, sparking hopes of a comeback, but Sweden quickly reasserted control. Isak and Gyökeres combined again on 59 minutes, with Gyökeres finishing to restore the two-goal cushion.
Substitute Mattias Svanberg then struck just 18 seconds after coming on, setting a new record for the fastest goal by a substitute in World Cup history, though the goal initially required a VAR review after being flagged offside.
Ayari completed his brace deep into stoppage time with another long-range stunner , rounding off a dominant display.
The result moved Sweden to the top of Group F , a striking turnaround for a side ranked 38th in the world that had arrived at the tournament in poor form, having failed to win either of their pre-tournament friendlies.
Sweden will next face the Netherlands at Houston Stadium on 20 June, while Tunisia take on Japan in Monterrey as they look to bounce back.
