Sweden delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over Tunisia on Sunday, shattering the North African side’s vaunted defensive reputation and taking early control of World Cup Group F.
The match, played in Guadeloupe, saw Graham Potter’s squad strike first in the seventh minute when Brighton midfielder Yasin Ayari unleashed a powerful drive from outside the box, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.
Ayari, whose heritage is both Moroccan and Tunisian, celebrated his impressive goal with restraint.
Sweden doubled their advantage at the half-hour mark following a swift counterattack. Alexander Isak, operating on the left flank, surged forward and cut inside before firing a shot that Tunisian keeper Mouhib Chamakh could only partially parry into the net.
Tunisia, renowned for its defensive solidity and having kept a clean sheet throughout qualifying—a record later matched by Ivory Coast and England—appeared rattled as Sweden pressed for more.
However, Tunisia briefly shifted the momentum just before halftime. Omar Rekik met Hannibal Mejbri’s inviting cross with a powerful header, reducing the deficit and offering hope.
Yet, Sweden reasserted itself in the 59th minute after another Tunisian defensive error. Ellyes Skhiri lost possession on the edge of his own area to Isak, who set up Viktor Gyokeres for a clinical finish.
Substitute Mattias Svanberg added Sweden’s fourth late on, with VAR confirming his goal after an offside review. There was still time for Ayari to score his second spectacular strike from distance, capping a memorable performance.
Sweden, quarter-finalists at the 2018 World Cup in Russia but absent from Qatar 2022, signaled their intent to make a deep run this year. Tunisia, despite making history as Africa’s first World Cup match winners in 1978, has yet to progress beyond the group stage. Earlier in Group F, Japan salvaged a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands thanks to a late goal.
Source: AFP
