Sweden rout Tunisia 5-1, Ivory Coast grab late winner, and Iran arrive at World Cup

Sweden demolish Tunisia

Sweden opened their Group F campaign with a commanding 5-1 win over Tunisia at Monterrey. Yasin Ayari scored twice, including an early opener in the 7th minute and a stoppage-time strike, while Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres added goals. Omar Rekik briefly gave Tunisia hope before halftime with a headed goal, but the Swedes pulled away late, Mattias Svanberg netting four minutes after coming off the bench. The result puts Sweden top of the group after Netherlands and Japan drew.

Ivory Coast steal late win

The Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia, with substitute Amad Diallo converting a left-footed shot in the 90th minute. Ecuador twice hit the crossbar in the first half through John Yeboah and Alan Minda, but the African side held firm. Coach Emerse Faé said his team wants more than a brief stay in the tournament.

“We came to the United States with ambition; we don't want just to visit the country and leave after the group stage.”

“I never felt they deserved to win, but football isn't about merit, it's about converting chances, and they took the one they had.”

Netherlands held by Japan

The Netherlands drew 2-2 with Japan in Dallas, leading twice but unable to shake off a disciplined Japan side missing captain Wataru Endo through injury. The result leaves both teams on one point in Group F, behind Sweden.

Germany thrash Curaçao

Germany began their Group E campaign with a 7-1 win over Curaçao, the smallest nation at the tournament. Julian Nagelsmann said the performance strengthened internal belief, though the team conceded once in the first half.

“The most important thing today is that we strengthened our self-belief within the team through a good performance.”

Germany7

Sweden5

Netherlands2

Japan2

Curaçao1

Tunisia1

Ivory Coast1

Ecuador0

Germany

7

Sweden

5

Netherlands

2

Japan

2

Curaçao

1

Tunisia

1

Ivory Coast

1

Ecuador

0

Data from the article text

Iran arrive in Los Angeles

After months of uncertainty over visas and geopolitical tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the Iranian squad landed in Los Angeles on Sunday. Coach Amir Ghalenoei and striker Mehdi Taremi stressed football's separation from politics at a press conference inside SoFi Stadium, where they face New Zealand next. A large Iranian diaspora community in the Los Angeles area, often critical of the regime, is expected to gather near the venue.

“We are here to play football, with respect for Iranians at home or abroad. Football is separate from politics.”

“We want to make all Iranians around the world happy and believe football can unify our country.”