Sweden capitalised on a series of Tunisian errors to open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with an emphatic 5-1 victory and move to the top of Group F.
Graham Potter’s side produced a ruthless display at Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, punishing a lacklustre Tunisia team that struggled defensively throughout the contest.
The Swedes needed just seven minutes to take the lead. Tunisia goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh misjudged a long ball from Victor Lindelöf, and after Viktor Gyökeres’ effort was blocked, Yasin Ayari slammed home from long range into an unguarded net. Ayari, who has Tunisian heritage, chose not to celebrate the goal.
Sweden continued to dominate and doubled their advantage on the half-hour mark.
Gyökeres provided the assist as Alexander Isak calmly finished a swift counter-attack to make it 2-0.
Tunisia found a lifeline just before the interval when Omar Rekik escaped his marker to head home a floated cross from Hannibal Mejbri and reduce the deficit to 2-1.
Any hopes of a Tunisian comeback disappeared after the restart.
Isak turned provider on the hour mark after Ellyes Skhiri was dispossessed in midfield.
The Liverpool forward set up Gyökeres, who fired past Chamakh from close range for his 15th goal in his last 16 international appearances.
Sweden added a fourth in the closing stages through substitute Mattias Svanberg, who scored just 16 seconds after entering the match.
A chip-sensor VAR review confirmed the goal after Isak’s assist.
Ayari completed the rout in stoppage time with his second long-range strike of the night, capping an outstanding individual performance and sealing a comprehensive 5-1 victory.
The result extended Sweden’s unbeaten run in World Cup opening matches to five games and left Potter’s men alone at the top of Group F after the Netherlands and Japan played out a 2-2 draw in the group’s other opening fixture.
Sweden will now prepare for a tougher challenge against the Netherlands, while Tunisia face increasing pressure ahead of their meeting with Japan as they search for a first World Cup opening-match victory since 1978.
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