Sweden crush Tunisia 5-1 as Ayari's brace and Isak-Gyökeres partnership light up World Cup opener

Early dominance

Yasin Ayari fired Sweden ahead in the seventh minute after a defensive mix-up, unleashing a thunderous strike that set the tone. Alexander Isak doubled the lead on the half-hour mark, cutting inside after a rapid counter-attack and beating goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh. Sweden had not scored five in a World Cup match since defeating Cuba 8-0 in 1938, a record they would match by the final whistle.

Swedish firepower

The front two of Isak and Viktor Gyökeres proved unstoppable, with Isak's pressing creating Gyökeres's 59th-minute goal after Ellyes Skhiri lost possession. Substitute Mattias Svanberg added a fourth in the 84th minute, initially ruled offside but awarded after VAR review. Ayari then closed the scoring in stoppage time with another long-range rocket, celebrating emphatically this time after a muted reaction to his first goal.

Individually, of course, they are top players but I think together they can be a real threat. I think they'll get better and better the more they play; they complement each other very well.

Potter's redemption

Graham Potter, sacked by West Ham in September after a brief tenure and a failed Chelsea stint, took over a Sweden side that finished bottom of their qualifying group without a win. Only a Nations League ranking reprieve kept them alive, and playoff wins over Ukraine and Poland secured a tournament spot. The five-goal outburst against Tunisia surpassed the four goals Sweden managed in their entire six-match qualifying group stage.

You never know how things are going to go. We were optimistic because we felt confident in the work. But until the game is played you don't know for sure. That's the beauty of sport.

Tunisia's defensive woes

Tunisia had not conceded a single goal in qualifying, becoming the first side to achieve that feat. But a 5-0 friendly loss to Belgium hinted at vulnerabilities, and Sweden exploited them ruthlessly. Omar Rekik's header briefly gave hope before half-time, but otherwise the North African side conceded 10 goals across their last two matches and struggled to threaten after the break.

Ayari's respectful brace

Ayari, born in Sweden to a Tunisian father and Moroccan mother, chose not to celebrate his opener, raising his hands in acknowledgment. After his second, he slid and cupped his ear toward Swedish fans. Earlier, his father Azzouz Ayari had said his son must "give back to the country that took care of him." Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi respected the decision: "I know him and his brother. He made a choice, I have a lot of respect."

No, I wanted him to play for Sweden. He must feel like he's giving back to the country that took care of him.

I know him and his brother. He made a choice, I have a lot of respect, and he's a very good player.