Sweden, who eliminated Poland, thrash Tunisia 5-1 in World Cup Group F opener

Match context

Sweden entered the 2026 World Cup having beaten Poland 3-2 in the playoff final this March, seizing one of the last places at the tournament. Their first test in Group F came against Tunisia at Monterrey’s stadium in the early hours of 15 June, Polish time. Earlier in the same group, the Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan, leaving the door open for either Sweden or Tunisia to grab the early lead. Graham Potter’s side did so in emphatic fashion against Sabri Lamouchi’s Tunisia.

First-half dominance

The breakthrough came in the seventh minute. Tunisia goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh misjudged a challenge outside his box. Viktor Gyokeres saw his close-range shot blocked, but the rebound fell perfectly for Yasin Ayari to drive a long-range effort into the net. Sweden kept pressing, and on the half-hour mark Alexander Isak doubled the advantage with a solo run and a composed finish from just outside the area. Tunisia had threatened in the 13th minute when Elias Saad’s pass found Anis Slimane, but Kristoffer Nordfeldt saved. Tunisia finally responded two minutes before the break when Hannibal Mejbri’s cross found Omar Rekik, whose firm header beat Nordfeldt to make it 2-1.

Second-half rout

Hoping to build on their late first-half goal, Tunisia instead gifted Sweden a third. Captain Ellyes Skhiri hesitated while playing out from the back, Isak pounced and squared for Gyokeres to slot home in the 59th minute. Substitute Mattias Svanberg made it 4-1 in the 84th minute, converting another Isak assist minutes after coming off the bench. Ayari then capped the scoring in stoppage time with his second of the night, calmly finishing a move to seal the 5-1 result.

What it means

The victory sent Sweden straight to the top of Group F, ahead of the Netherlands and Japan on goal difference after their draw. For Tunisia, the heavy loss leaves them bottom and needing points from their next matches against the Netherlands and Japan. Sweden’s next fixture is against Japan, where a win would put them on the brink of the knockout stage. The performance underlined the attacking threat of Isak, who finished with a goal and three assists, and the composure of midfielders like Ayari, who notched a brace.